GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is an EU regulation that improves privacy for European consumers. Even though this legislation covers European citizens, it applies to anyone who does business in the EU. So, if you offer goods and services to people in Europe, or monitor the behavior of people in Europe, you must comply with GDPR.
Here are five easy ways to make your WordPress site GDPR compliant.
1. Promote data privacy
Staying GDPR compliant is a team effort. Talk to people in your organization about the importance of treating personal information as a precious resource. To ensure your team is following the proper procedures, consult with data protection specialists, update legal documents with a lawyer and hold training sessions.
Examples of personal identifying information are:
- Name
- Gender
- Birthplace
- Birthdate
- Citizenship
- IP address
- Credit card information
- Physical address
- Health information
2. Reconsider the information you keep
Review the personal information you store in your database. Organize the data and determine if you need it for business purposes. Any information that is irrelevant should be removed. You don’t need it, so why be responsible for it? Ensure that all remaining information is pertinent and secure.
3. Organize your database
Under GDPR, users can request access to their personal information that is stored in your database. To have this information accessible, organize your database. It’s possible that your customers will want some of their personal info deleted, so develop a process of responding to customer inquiries. For example, people often want to opt out of phone calls and emails.
4. Keep your customers informed
Communicating with your customers is key in this day and age. Email your customers about the changes in how you collect and store their information according to GDPR. Update your Privacy Policy and encourage customers to read it to know their rights. For example, you can add a pop-up banner at the top of your page so users can give consent.
5. Check Google Analytics
If you’re using traffic and cookies with Google Analytics, the data is processed anonymously. Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to read the Data Processing Amendment to ensure you are following all GDPR guidelines. In the end, YOU are held responsible, so it’s important to cover all your tracks.
Follow these five easy tips to ensure your WordPress site is 100% compliant with GDPR regulations. Though these rules can feel cumbersome at first, they are rational and attempt to make the internet a safer place for users.
