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GDPR - GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION

GDPR is and remains the hot topic online and in the news right now. Things have changed and continue to change around individuals' rights regarding data and privacy.

 

What is GDPR?

GDPR stands for the General Data Protection Regulation. Whilst it's an EU legislation, Brexit won’t make any difference to the framework for data protection across all European countries. Companies must not only be compliant but demonstrate compliance, or face fines of up to 4% of annual global turnover or 20 million euros (much higher than the £500,000 fine imposed under the Data Protection Act 1998).

 

What does GDPR mean for me?

The GDPR gives individuals 8 key rights regarding data:

  1. The right to be informed, about what data is being captured, and what it is used for.

  2. The right of access, to the data a company holds on you. The company must provide this within 30 days of the request.

  3. The right to rectification. If the data held is incorrect or incomplete, an individual can request rectification (verbally or in writing). Again, a company has 30 days to respond to this.

  4. The right to erasure. Also known as the right to be forgotten. A right for individuals to have their personal data erased - within 30 days.

  1. The right to restrict processing. Individuals can request restriction or suppression - which means that companies are permitted to store the personal data, but not use it.

  2. The right to data portability. This allows individuals to obtain and reuse their personal data for their own purposes across different services.

  3. The right to object. Individuals have the right to object to direct marketing (including profiling) and other forms of data processing.

  4. Rights related to automated decision making including profiling. Individuals have the right to object to automated decision making, including profiling.

 

These are the rights the GDPR brings to individuals, or you as a user or customer of websites and businesses.

 

What does it mean for businesses?

 

There are a number of steps that businesses have to take in preparation for GDPR as outlined by the ICO (the Information Commissioner's Office). Heart and Soul Inspirational gifts have followed and completed all of these steps:

  • Awareness. Making key decision makers aware of GDPR and the change in law.

  • Information they hold. Document the data that a company holds, where it came from, what it is used for etc.

  • Privacy information. Businesses must review their current privacy information and communicate it with those affected.

  • Individual rights. The 8 key rights as listed above - make sure there are procedures and processes in place to respond to any of the request’s individuals have the right to make (for example, deleting personal data).

  • Lawful basis for processing personal data. Identify the lawful basis for a business’s processing activity, document and update privacy notice to explain this.

  • Consent. Review how the business seeks, records and manages consent. Refresh any existing consents if they don't meet the new standard.

  • Data breach. Have procedures in place to detect, report and investigate a personal data breach.

  • Children. Obtain parental or guardian consent for any data processing activity regarding children.

  • Data Protection Officers. Designate someone to take responsibility for data protection. Some businesses may be required to formally designate.

 

What has Heart and Soul Inspirational Gifts done?

 

Heart and Soul Inspirational Gifts have followed and completed all of the 12 steps outlined by the ICO. In addition to this, we have:

 

Conducted a data processing procedure

We've looked at every piece of information we collect or store and identified our lawful basis for processing this information. We know exactly what data we collect, why it is stored, and how it is used. No information is kept longer than necessary.

 

Trained every member of staff

Every member of staff throughout the entire company is aware of the changes and their responsibilities regarding data and the GDPR.

 

Individuals rights

We adhere to the processes and operations with data privacy in mind. We are, and always will be, compliant with regulations such as the GDPR. We will respond thoroughly and effectively to any requests that users make as per their rights as an individual under the GDPR.

 

Overall

We welcome the GDPR and the changes it has brought. Keeping your data secure and operating in a safe, secure and transparent way is important to us - we ask our staff to treat all data as if it is their own. If you have any questions around our compliance to the GDPR or data security and privacy in general, then get in touch with us via the contact us page or by email to:

heartandsoulinspirationalgifts@gmail.com

 

Disclaimer: Heart and Soul Inspirational Gifts published this guide based on information we have gathered about GDPR to help our customers understand the steps we have taken but it is in no way legal advice. For full information and help regarding the new regulations, please visit the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) website. https://ico.org.uk/

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