The GDPR has been in force for a while now, but staying fully compliant remains crucial for every organization handling customer data. This European privacy regulation determines how you collect, use, and protect personal data. Let’s break down what GDPR means for your organization today and what you should focus on.
First, let’s clarify what personal data is. Under the GDPR, personal data includes any information relating to an individual—this isn’t limited to names, phone numbers, or email addresses, but also includes purchase history, website behavior, and interests.
Processing personal data means any use of this data: storing it, sharing it, or using it to build customer profiles.
Processing personal data is still allowed under the GDPR, but there are stricter rules on transparency. You must clearly explain:
Which information you collect
How you use it
Why you use it
This information must be easy to find and understand—no hiding it in the fine print. In most cases, you also need explicit customer consent (opt-in) before processing.
A core principle of the GDPR is giving individuals full control over their personal data. Even if a customer consents to data processing, they have the right to:
Access their data
Correct or update their information
Request deletion (the right to be forgotten)
Transfer their data to another organization (data portability)
Withdraw consent at any time and stop data processing
"Data portability allows customers to request that their data be transferred to another provider, including competitors.”
These rights ensure that customers remain in control, and your organization must honor them.
The GDPR requires organizations to handle personal data carefully and integrate privacy into their policies and processes on multiple levels. When designing your products and services, it’s important to ensure that you only collect and store the data that is necessary. This principle, known as privacy by design, helps you minimize risks and protect your customers’ personal information.
You should also implement privacy by default, which means enforcing technical measures to protect data automatically. For example, on your website, newsletter checkboxes should not be pre-selected, ensuring that users actively give their consent.
Certain organizations are required to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO). This is typically necessary for public authorities, governmental organizations, and companies that process large volumes of sensitive personal data. The DPO helps ensure compliance with GDPR and monitors how personal data is handled across the organization.
Finally, a privacy impact assessment may be mandatory. This tool helps you identify potential privacy risks before processing data. Whether it’s required depends on the scale of your data processing and the sensitivity of the data involved. Conducting an impact assessment ensures you understand and mitigate any privacy risks before they become a problem.
To stay GDPR-compliant, you need the right tools and processes to manage and document data usage:
Maintain a processing register detailing which data you collect, from which audience, and for what purpose.
Implement a data protection policy outlining your procedures for handling personal data.
Ensure that personal data is secured and protected at all times.
Although the GDPR has been in effect for some time, enforcement is active and ongoing. Organizations that fail to comply with the regulations can face significant fines. These penalties can reach up to €20 million per violation, or, for companies with annual revenues exceeding €500 million, up to 4% of global turnover.
Non-compliance not only carries financial risks but can also damage your organization’s reputation and erode customer trust. By staying proactive and ensuring your GDPR practices are up to date, you protect personal data, demonstrate accountability, and maintain the confidence of your clients.
Take the necessary steps today to review your data handling processes, update your privacy policies, and ensure your organization is fully GDPR compliant. Contact us and let's see exactly where your organization stands and how you can strengthen your data protection practices.