GDPR is the most prominent data protection regulation in the world. When it comes to protecting people’s rights and freedom in the EU, it does not differentiate between big and small businesses and their origin territories. The same holds for websites. In this post, we will discuss several ways to make your website GDPR compliant.
What is GDPR?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was proposed by the European Union (EU) in April 2016 for EU residents’ data and privacy. It came into effect on 25 May 2018.
Regardless of its location of origin, any website is subject to the GDPR if it has users (clients and visitors) in the EU. It states various rights and principles for processing EU residents’ personal data that a website must respect and follow.
Understanding the regulation is as important as following them. Hence, you must have general GDPR awareness to start your compliance journey.
Ways to make your website GDPR compliant
Let us discuss some of the ways you can make your website GDPR compliant.
Audit the data
Data auditing should be the first step to GDPR compliance. It is crucial to understand how your website handles users’ personal data.
There are many types of personal data. Some of them are depicted in the infographics below.
Personal data refers to any data used to identify a natural person, with or without the additional information.
Other details that you need to be aware of are:
- The purpose of data collection.
- The method of data collection and use.
- The third-party services (plugins and apps) that collect and use data
- The storage point and the retention period of the collected data.
- The transfer destination of the data.
- The safety measures to keep the data safe.
Exercise user rights upon request
There are certain user rights that the GDPR expects data controllers (in this case, a website owner) to respect. Users can ensure that their personal data is processed lawfully using these rights.
If any of your users wish to exercise one of these rights, you must have the necessary measures in place to help them.
Use cookie consent banner
Cookies are small text files used by websites to collect user data or facilitate website functioning.
Some cookies collect personal data for analytics or advertising purposes. Third-party services installed by the website often place such cookies. Per GDPR, you cannot use the cookies on users’ devices without their consent. So, a website must get explicit consent from its users for using tracking cookies.
You can identify all the cookies used by your website using free cookie scanners. They will scan the website for cookies and give you a detailed account of cookies and their description.
Display a cookie banner when users visit your website. Cookie banners are pop-ups used to inform users about the cookies on the website and request consent for using them.
The cookie consent banner must have:
- Easy to understand and concise content about cookies and asking for user consent.
- Explicit opt-in and opt-out choice.
- Granular cookie preferences.
- Easily accessible for changing consent at any time.
- Explains or links to details about the purpose of using cookies.
There are many third-party plugins and software that can install cookie banners on your website. They also come with other features that offer an all-around solution for cookie compliance.
Use website forms
Forms on your website should request user consent, preferably via checkboxes, before collecting personal data. Ensure that they are pre-ticked since consent obtained via such checkboxes are invalid under the GDPR.
Modify email marketing
You require explicit consent from your website’s users before sending emails through it. If you already have a contacts list, it would be best to ask for re-permission before sending mass emails to avoid any GDPR conflicts. Enabling double opt-in is one way to ensure explicit and affirmative consent.
Any contact details that are no longer relevant to your website must be duly deleted from your system.
You must provide provisions for users to exercise their rights and respond to them promptly via emails.
An unsubscription link in every email ensures an easy and accessible opt-out choice for users.
Give easy withdraw option
One of the GDPR requirements for a website is to make opt-out as easy as opt-in. Do not make the withdrawal of consent a complicated process. The users must be able to access the opt-out option on the website easily.
Add a privacy policy
A privacy policy page is a significant part of a website to inform users about how you collect and handle personal data.
The privacy policy page must be lucid, concise, and in plain language. It must be easily accessible and provides all the necessary information per the GDPR.
You can use free privacy policy generators to create a detailed privacy policy for your website.
Protect the user data
Prevention is better than cure. Being prepared in advance may prevent many mishaps from happening. By securing your website, you are securing the users’ data and their trust in you.
Your website may have vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited and may lead to personal data leaks. Following are some ways you can secure your website:
- SSL certificate for the website
- Encouraging strong passwords
- Limited login attempts
- Data backups
When a data breach occurs, you must inform your supervisory authority and the affected users without delay. You must be prepared for such data breaches and have appropriate safety measures to control the damage or avoid it altogether.
Use third-party tools
Many third-party tools can help your website to comply with the GDPR. These tools can identify the problems with your website and suggest solutions for it.
Closing thoughts
GDPR standards may seem like a lot. And it is. Having to take care of small details that may cause trouble sounds tiring. However, the result of it all is worth it.
The benefit of a GDPR-complying website is not only about avoiding fines but creating a safe experience for your users and hence, building their trust.