The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a law that regulates how data for European Union (EU) citizens is gained, processed, used and stored. So, what does this mean for start-ups? As with all things legal, remember to research and garner advice from a certified GDPR practitioner if you have any concerns about how GDPR will affect your business.

In a nutshell, a citizen of the EU must permit any business to collect and use personal data. You may come across terms such as explicit consent and lawful basis. In addition, you must clearly explain how you’re gathering and using the data and what the recipient will receive in exchange. This means that offering a free opt-in for someone’s email address for email newsletters, for example, is no longer an option.

GDPR practical tips for you

So, you can see that this only applies to EU citizens, but that doesn’t mean you want to exclude them just because of some extra admin. Instead, you can do a few things to make sure you’re compliant and can continue to grow your business.

1. 1. Include GDPR checkboxes to sign-up forms
      
      With the help of software, such as MailChimp, you can add notices to forms to indicate GDPR compliance. In this way, you’re completely transparent about compliance and can keep track of where your prospective clients are based.
   2. Your website holds a lot of possibilities.
      
      Update your private policy page to show the information collected through your site, what it’s used for, the length of time you’ll have it and who you share it with. Update your private policy page to show the information collected through your site, what it’s used for, the length of time you’ll have it and who you share it with. Remove any data that is no longer needed. For example, manage and edit any outdated lists stored on your site, such as enquiries, which may hold personal data. Review comments on blog posts. By all means, keep valuable blog comments, and publish them if they’re relevant, but remove and delete any contact details, once you’ve reached out to the lead and made contact. Client testimonials should be used with written consent. In addition, explicit permission is required to share clients’ testimonials with their names and company information. So, contact clients directly to ask for permission, or consider using a compliant review platform to display testimonials like Trustpilot.
   3. Ensure that the third-party companies you deal with are GDPR compliant.
      
      Much like your website, it is your responsibility to ensure that any third-party services you use are GDPR compliant. So reach out to them and ascertain where they stand so you can make an informed decision about sourcing an alternative, compliant service.

Help is at hand – GDPR tips for employees

There is a lot to think about and still to research. However, GDPR compliance doesn’t have to be a burden for you and your start-up. Hire a virtual assistant as your GDPR compliance superhero to do the research required and, if necessary, organise a consultation with a legal professional or certified practitioner.

The administration and management of the compliance can be handled by your remote virtual assistant, which will give you peace of mind that you’re fully compliant. Moreover, by adopting the best GDPR compliance tips, interacting with EU citizens ethically, and having the capacity to focus on nurturing your start-up towards success.

Visit Outsourcery for fully-flexible packages tailored to suit your needs. With award-winning staff and competitive prices, Outsourcery is fast-becoming the UK’s premier supplier of high-quality virtual assistants. Look out for our blog for more helpful insights.