A privacy policy must set out the different areas where user privacy is concerned and outline the obligations and requirements of the users, the website and website owners. Furthermore, the way your organisation processes, stores and protects user data and information should also be detailed in a privacy policy. The policy should be made available on your organisation’s website.
What is a GDPR privacy policy?
A GDPR privacy policy is a legal document that outlines how an organisation collects, uses, stores, and protects personal data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR is a set of data protection regulations implemented in the EU to enhance the privacy rights of individuals and establish consistent data protection standards across the EU member states.
In a GDPR privacy policy, organisations provide transparent information about the personal data they collect, the purposes for which it is collected, how it is processed, and the legal basis for processing. The policy also covers details about data retention, data subject rights, security measures, data transfers outside the EU, and contact information for the data protection officer.
What needs to be included in a privacy policy?
Here are the main points that should be addressed in a privacy policy:
Use of the cookies
Your policy should first define what cookies are and then explain what the organisation used the cookies for. It should stress that they are used to enhance the user experience and any tracking software used should also be stated.
Personal information
If your organisation requests and stores personal information, such as their name or email address, this should be made clear in the privacy policy. Under GDPR rules, individuals have the right to request a copy of this information and can request to be removed from the database at any time.
Information collection and use
How does your organisation collect information and how long is the information stored for? This should be explained in your privacy policy.
Other information to include
If your organisation uses registration forms or collects information in any other way, it will need to be made clear how the data is used and how to unsubscribe from any mailing list.
How to update GDPR privacy policy
To update your GDPR privacy policy, follow these steps:
- Stay informed about any changes in GDPR or relevant data protection laws
- Conduct an internal audit of your data processing activities
- Determine which sections of your privacy policy need updating
- Revise or create a new policy that incorporates the necessary changes
- Ensure compliance with GDPR principles, such as lawful processing and transparency
- Include required information, such as data categories, purposes of processing, and contact details
- Seek legal review to validate compliance
- Publish the updated policy and communicate the changes to users
- Train employees on their responsibilities regarding data protection
- Regularly review and monitor your policy for ongoing compliance
Download The GDPR privacy policy template
Does your organisation have an up-to-date data protection policy in place? Download a free data protection policy template by clicking on the button below.
