What is the GDPR?
The General Data Protection Regulation is a game-changer for privacy protection across the European Union in an environment where privacy law hasn’t been significantly updated for 20 years. The regulation was approved by the EU Parliament on 14 April 2016, which brings the law up-to-speed with the current ways data is being used both on and offline. The new rules give individuals more power and choice over what companies can do with their data. Companies, including ours, are busy reviewing compliance requirements and we get ready for the changeover.
What’s changing?
At the core of the legislative changes is the concept of consent. The GDPR gives people more say over what companies can do with their data, including who they can share it with and how their data is processed. The concept of consent is not new, but the level of consent that must be obtained is. The GDPR sets a higher standard than that required under the Data Protection Act 1998. Broken down, some of the key changes are that:
Companies must clearly ask for consent in a way that requires users to ‘opt-in’ (pre-ticked boxes are not an option).
When giving consent, all parties that will have access to your data must be named.
You will not have to give consent to sign up to a service unless consent is necessary for that service.
Where applicable, you will be able to give different levels of consent if your data can or will be used in different ways or by different parties.
Companies must make it easy for you to withdraw consent if you change your mind.
How will this impact you?
The new conditions set out in the GDPR now mean that we, as well as any other organisation you deal with, will need your explicit consent to get in touch with you. There are some exceptions to this broad rule—such as companies being able to contact you for existing transactions or in cases where there is a justified genuine interest. So, what do you need to do? The answer is simple.
If you would no longer like QualitySolicitors Parkinson Wright to contact you, you do not need to do anything.
If you would still like to receive news and updates from us, and think our offers or services could be of value now or in the future, you’ll need to give us permission to contact you.
QualitySolicitors Parkinson Wright welcomes these changes as a way of putting consumers back in the driver’s seat. We value your privacy and will only contact you if you explicitly ask us to or if we have an offer or service that we feel would be beneficial to you. To avoid being taken off our contact list, please get in touch with your consent today by filling in our quick contact form here.
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