When it comes to the online environment, even if often overlooked, privacy is very important. Considering that more of our data than ever before it’s getting collected and stored online, controlling what we share has an essential role. If you have ever wondered how can I make my app gdpr compliant, we have some answers in this article!
In case you’re not familiar, the EU rolled out a regulation called GDPR. This law ensures the privacy of individuals and it gives them full control over their online data. The regulation is in full control so, any site that interacts with European citizens and is not compliant with the regulation risks facing serious penalties.
Having a service that is GDPR compliant is crucial nowadays. You can read down below some essential steps that everybody should take in order to ensure that their app is GDPR compliant.
Be Aware of the Law
In order to take the most effective actions regarding the GDPR regulation and compliance, you must document yourself properly. Reading all of the legal texts about GDPR, and assimilating the information is a crucial step. The regulation may affect more businesses than you initially think.
At first, glance, since it’s a regulation rolled out by the EU, people might think that it has no effect over businesses ran from outside of the EU and the EEA areas. However, the situation is a bit different. Even businesses located outside of the EU, in countries like the USA have to be compliant to GDPR, as long as they are gathering data of EU citizens.
Considering that the regulation takes immediate effect and it impacts a large number of online businesses, websites and apps, being aware of the law is very important since the GDPR laws can be very complex.
Get Permission for Data Usage and Collection
A core part of the regulation is the user’s ability to offer or revoke permissions regarding data collection, processing, and storage, regardless of the data’s end purpose. This is meant to ensure privacy online for EU residents. As a result of this rollout, prior to May 2018, all businesses are obligated by law to update their policies and ask for new permissions from their users and employees.
All businesses must present to their users all of their rights regarding data collection in a clear manner with transparent language. If they want to collect and use data, they must receiver consent from the user. Businesses that don’t have consent from EU residents to use their data are taking major risks.
Moreover, EU citizens also have the option to reject any inquiries regarding data collection but, also to revoke all permissions if any were accorded in the past. Businesses are also obligated to present these options to their users.
Keep Track of the Collected Data
Another crucial step when it comes to being GDPR compliant is keeping track of all data collected, processed, and stored on all devices. Having a clear idea of where the user’s data is, and if it’s being used in accordance with the law is highly important. Otherwise, businesses risk being penalized with substantial fines.
Any data that could be used to identify an EU citizen, including IP addresses, must be easily locatable. This step is important because it goes hand-in-hand with the last one. If a user revokes permissions regarding the collection and storage of his data, businesses must respect the user’s right, and be able to locate and delete the data in the cause.
Conclusion
GDPR is an essential regulation that it is going to impact businesses from around the world for years to come. Because of its nature, most businesses that are providing online services must become GDPR compliant to have a flawless operation online.
However, even if this regulation is very vast, currently it only applies to EU residents. Businesses that still want to have EU users should take into account the things mentioned above, and put into practice these three essential steps to have a GDPR compliant app or other online services.
