BLOGS
The Far-Reaching Impact of GDPR on Companies With Global Interests
August 9, 2018
The implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the herald of big changes to come; not just for European organizations, but all companies that operate on a global level. Consequently, businesses with global interests need to have contingencies in place for the impact GDPR will have in the very near future.
Intended primarily to give residents and citizens more control over their personal data, the regulation was also instituted to streamline the environment for global business through the unification of the regulation within the EU. So what does this mean for businesses who collect and process personal data? Let’s get into that below:
GDPR compliance — sooner rather than later
GDPR guarantees EU residents’ privacy when personal data is collected and stored. Global companies need to prove that they are honoring this mandate and that the data was collected legally, else they could face substantial penalties. In simple terms, customers need to be properly informed about how your company plans to use their captured information:
- A company needs to explicitly declare the desire to collect and process a user’s personal data
- In practice, this means a business cannot hide the will to collect data in their privacy policy or record it by default
- Users need to give consent to the usage of their personal details
It seems simple enough, doesn’t it? But when you factor in the multitude of markets within the EU, and the many different languages involved, it becomes clear just how large this undertaking actually is. Websites, privacy policies, and legal documentation all need to be articulately translated to align with GDPR. The drain on resources could be colossal should you choose to do this all internally — a decision not to be taken lightly in our rapidly changing digital world!
Companies need to prove that only the necessary data was collected
In compliance with GDPR, global companies need to observe the data minimization strategy. This means that all businesses should only collect the necessary data to perform their services. Once these services have been executed, the business is then required to delete the customer’s personal details. It’s advisable to keep records of these activities by indexing said data into categories such as sensitive, confidential, and public. Tracking these flows with data mapping allows you to monitor vendors to ensure they are in compliance with GDPR, too.
In most cases, it’s best to revamp your existing data protection protocols instead of reinventing the wheel. A Global Content Partner will audit your current content and advise how it can be optimized and improved to meet your strategic goals.
Don’t go it alone — choose the right partner for GDPR compliance
Implementing these new systems with in-house resources could disrupt your daily operations and drain your workforce. So why not use a Global Content Partner who has the experience and skills to translate your vital business assets into GDPR-compliant collateral?
A Rubric specialist is ready to take your call and provide more information on how we can maximize your Global Content Strategy. Get in touch today.
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