In May, a European Union online privacy law, with worldwide repercussions, goes into effect. Dubbed the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the new statute has tech companies scratching its collective head about compliance.
GDPR Primer: A New Online Privacy Law
The EU provides plenty of information on the GDPR, but if you’re in the market for a quick overview, here goes:
Basically, EU lawmakers want individuals to control their online data. So, the GDPR gives EU citizens ownership of their digital data and requires businesses to implement tools that allows users to control personal digital information.
Shirking the rules can result in enormous sanctions.
Data Protected by the GDPR
The GDPR protects a set of open-ended data categories.
- Identity Data: names, addresses, and a variety of identification numbers.
- Demographic Data: race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
- Health Data: genetics and biometrics.
- Internet Data Points: IP addresses, cookies, and location indicators.
- Political Data: political affiliation or societal opinions.
By establishing clear punishments for sharing personal data without consent, the EU hopes to prevent questionable data transactions, like Facebook’s latest facepalm (link).
Must U.S. Sites Follow The New EU Online Privacy Law?
Digital data doesn’t queue up at virtual online border crossings; many websites invite traffic from around the globe. As a result, all companies that house EU citizens’ data are subject to the GDPR.
Connect With An Online Privacy Law Attorney
Are you ready for the new online privacy law? If not, we can walk you through it. As a longtime Internet law attorney, I understand the ins-and-outs of online privacy regulations and will be able to get you compliant without breaking the bank.
Give HT Law a call today, and let’s chat about the upcoming regulation and how it may affect your business or website. Consultations are free. Let’s talk soon.
Chat With An Online Privacy Lawyer About The GDPR ❯
