In our digital society, privacy is of high importance. The GDPR requires companies to be more transparent and responsible when collecting, processing, and managing personal information. Furthermore, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) raises new questions about privacy and data protection.
What is GDPR?
The GDPR stands for the protection of individual privacy and provides individuals with more control over their personal data, including the right to access, the right to erasure, and the right to be informed about data breaches that may affect their information. This means that businesses, from sole traders to multinationals, must clearly communicate how and why personal data are collected and processed.
Steps that your business can take to comply with GDPR include:
- Privacy Policy: Update your privacy policy according to the transparency requirements of GDPR.
- Consent: Ensure that you request consent for processing personal data in a clear and understandable manner.
- Data Protection ‘By Design’ and ‘By Default’: Implement data protection principles from the beginning of the design process of products or services.
- Data Breaches: GDPR requires that certain types of data breaches be reported to the relevant supervisory authority within 72 hours of discovery, and in some cases, to the affected individuals as well.
- International Data Transfers: Comply with GDPR guidelines for transferring data outside the EU.
What are cookies?
Cookies are text files that websites place on users' devices to collect information about browsing behaviour. To comply with GDPR, websites must ask for consent before placing non-essential cookies. There are different types of cookies:
- Session cookies are temporary cookies that are deleted once the browser is closed. They are used for managing sessions, such as keeping track of login details during a session.
- Permanent cookies remain stored on the user's device between browser sessions. They are used for remembering login details and preferences.
- Tracking cookies are used to follow user behaviour across multiple sites for targeted advertising and analysis.
GDPR vs AI/ML
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) rely heavily on large datasets, including personal data. It is important to collect and use only strictly necessary data, and to anonymise personal data where possible.
Conclusion
The introduction of GDPR has increased global attention on privacy and data protection. Actively adhering to GDPR standards not only reduces the risk of data breaches and the associated financial and reputational damage but also strengthens trust with your customers.