Now companies can not reveal an individual’s data even if he is a consumer, provider or employee. Companies now must make their data store and deletions policy is transparent. This will strengthen the rights of the individual. With all said, GDPR compliance can be something that you want to keep an eye on during your development project. And if that is what you are struggling with, this blog is for you.

General data protection regulation is a law created by the European parliament, introducing new GDPR rules in the replacement of the 1995 data protection law. It highly impacts a large number of companies that capture and hold individual’s data.

Speaking of which, let’s discuss all of this and everything related to GDPR compliance in detail. Let’s get right into it: 

What is GDPR?  General Data Protection Regulation

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation.

It is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA).This complaince came into effect on May 25, 2018, replacing the 1995 Data Protection Directive.

Moreover, GDPR aims to give individuals control over their personal data and simplify the regulatory environment for international business by unifying the regulation within the EU.

The regulation sets out rules for how personal data must be collected, processed, and stored, and gives individuals the right to access and control their personal data. Failure to comply with GDPR can result in significant fines of up to 4% of a company’s global turnover or €20 million, whichever is greater.

Consider the recent cyber crimes and data leaks, GDPR compliance has become more important then ever. 

GDPR Terminology

To understand GDPR, it is essential to be familiar with the terminology used in the regulation. Some of the key terms are:

  • Personal data – Any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual.
  • Data subject – The individual to whom the personal data relates.
  • Data controller – The organization that determines the purposes and means of processing personal data.
  • Data processor – An organization that processes personal data on behalf of the data controller.
  • Supervisory authority – An independent public authority responsible for enforcing GDPR.

Who does GDPR apply to?

GDPR applies to all organizations that process personal data of individuals residing in the EU, regardless of where the organization is located or where the data is processed. This means that if your organization collects, stores, or uses personal data of EU residents, you are required to comply with GDPR.

Will It Apply To US Companies?

Yes, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies to US companies that process personal data of individuals in the European Union (EU). If a US company has customers or users in the EU, or monitors the behavior of individuals in the EU, they must comply with GDPR regulations.

General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Web/Mobile App Development

GDPR has significant implications for web and mobile app development. Companies that develop software or mobile apps must ensure that the personal data of their users is protected in accordance with GDPR. This includes obtaining explicit consent from users to collect and process their personal data, implementing appropriate security measures to protect the data, and providing users with the ability to access, modify, and delete their personal data.

In addition, companies must be transparent about their data collection and processing practices, and must clearly communicate these practices to their users. Failure to comply with GDPR can result in significant fines and reputational damage.

What Are Key Principles of GDPR Compliance?

The GDPR is based on a set of key principles that organizations must follow when processing personal data. These principles include:

– Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency

The first and foremost principle of the complaince says that the company must have a lawful basis for processing personal data, and the processing must be fair and transparent.

– Purpose limitation

The company or firm must only collect personal data for specific and legitimate purposes.

– Data minimization

One must only collect and process personal data that is necessary for the specified purposes.

– Accuracy

The concerned company must ensure that personal data is accurate and kept up-to-date.

– Storage limitation

GDPR compliance strictly says that an organization should not store data for longer the required. 

– Integrity and confidentiality

Organizations must implement appropriate security measures to protect personal data from unauthorized access, disclosure, or destruction.

What does it mean to be GDPR compliant?

Being GDPR compliant means that your organization follows the key principles outlined in the regulation and has implemented appropriate measures to protect personal data. Some of the steps that organizations can take to be GDPR compliant include:

1. Conducting a data protection impact assessment (DPIA)

A DPIA is a process that helps organizations identify and minimize the risks associated with processing personal data.

2. Appointing a data protection officer (DPO)

A DPO is responsible for ensuring that the organization complies with GDPR and acts as a point of contact for data subjects and supervisory authorities.

3. Implementing technical and organizational measures

Organizations must implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data, such as encryption, access controls, and staff training.

4. Reviewing and updating policies and procedures

Organizations must regularly review and update their policies and procedures to ensure they are in line with GDPR requirements.

GDPR Data Subject Rights

So, what are the rights that are protected under this GDPR compliance? Well, let’s have a look at them below:

Right to access

Data subjects have the right to access their personal data and information about how it is processed.

Right to rectification

Data subjects have the right to have inaccurate personal data corrected.

Right to erasure

Data subjects have the right to have their personal data erased in specific circumstances.

Right to object

Data subjects have the right to object to the processing of their personal data for specific reasons.

Right to data portability

Data subjects have the right to receive their personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

GDPR Compliance Checklist

If you want to be GDPR compliant organization, it is a good idea to go through the check list. Let’s discuss them below:

  • Identify personal data

Identify the personal data that your organization collects, processes, and stores. This includes data such as name, email, phone number, address, and any other information that can be used to identify a person.

  • Review data processing activities

Review and document all data processing activities. This includes activities such as data collection, storage, sharing, and deletion. It is important to identify where personal data is being processed and who has access to it.

  • Obtain Consent for GDPR Compliance 

Ensure that you have obtained appropriate consent for processing personal data. This includes obtaining explicit consent from users to collect and process their personal data. It is important to clearly communicate the purpose of data processing and the rights of the user.

  • Appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO)

Appoint a DPO if required. A DPO is responsible for ensuring GDPR compliance within the organization. This includes monitoring data processing activities, advising on GDPR requirements, and acting as a point of contact for data subjects and supervisory authorities.

  • Implement technical and organizational measures

Implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data. This includes measures such as encryption, access controls, and regular data backups. It is important to ensure that personal data is protected from unauthorized access, loss, or destruction.

  • Conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)

Conduct a DPIA for high-risk processing activities. A DPIA is a process for assessing the risks associated with data processing activities. This includes identifying the risks to the rights and freedoms of data subjects, and implementing measures to mitigate these risks.

  • Review and update policies and procedures

Regularly review and update your policies and procedures. This includes policies and procedures for data protection, data retention, and data subject requests. It is important to ensure that policies and procedures are up-to-date with GDPR requirements.

  • Respond to data subject requests

Ensure that you can respond to data subject requests within the required timeframe. GDPR gives data subjects certain rights, such as the right to access, modify, or delete their personal data. It is important to have processes in place to respond to these requests.

  • Report data breaches 

Report data breaches to the supervisory authority within 72 hours. GDPR requires organizations to report data breaches to the supervisory authority within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach. It is important to have a process in place for reporting breaches.

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GDPR Compliance When For Web/Mobile App Development 

If you are building a mobile app or website platform, you need to consider the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Here are some things you should do to GDPR compliance:

  • Be transparent with users about how their data will be collected, used, and shared
  • Obtain explicit consent from users before collecting any personal data
  • Allow users to easily access and delete their personal data
  • Ensure that all third-party tools and services you use are also GDPR-compliant
  • Have a plan in place for responding to any data breaches that occur

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your mobile app or website platform is GDPR-compliant and that you are protecting your users’ data.

Conclusion

GDPR is all about capturing, storing and protecting individual’s data.  GDPR for developers need to make sure to maintain coding standards and database protection. You must be transparent when data processing inside your organization.

Now, if you are going to develop a website or a mobile app and want to keep GDPR compliance in mind and for that you want your development partner to understand it. Thus, you want to hire web developers who understand the same and can deliver fitting result. Nimble AppGenie allows you to hire dedicated developers who deliver satisfactory results.

FAQ

Organizations that fail to comply with GDPR can face fines of up to €20 million or 4% of their annual global revenue, whichever is higher.

The key principles of GDPR compliance include obtaining consent for processing personal data, ensuring data accuracy and security, and providing individuals with the right to access, correct, and erase their personal data.

To ensure GDPR compliance, organizations must conduct a comprehensive data audit, update their privacy policies and procedures, appoint a data protection officer (DPO), and implement technical and organizational measures to protect personal data.

GDPR came into effect on May 25, 2018.