GDPR comes to Leigh on sea!

May 7, 2018 by Melinda @ Giles Wilson Solicitors

If you belong to an organisation,  subscribe to a website, or have an ongoing contract with a business, and particularly if you run a business or organisation, you will have heard these 4 words and know that 25 May 2018 is the crucial date on which it comes into effect.  But how are we in Leigh on sea affected? Is it only if you own a business or do lots of online shopping from regular websites that send you through their special offers aimed at your personal profile? 

Why is Everyone Talking about GDPR?  My colleague Philip Giles explains all in his blog here:

http://www.gileswilson.co.uk/blog/view/why-is-everyone-talking-about-gdpr

And as he says – the aim is to protect our privacy and therefore the aim behind the implementation of the GDPR is sensible; it is to avoid, amongst other things, identity theft, credit card fraud, and failure to comply with privacy policies which may lead to theft and deception. The abuse of health data, financial data, or child data can have an adverse impact on insurance, credit, jobs or parental control.

A customer has a fundamental right in the UK to have their personal data protected and it may only be processed – meaning obtained, recorded, held, used or disclosed - under certain circumstances. 

The implications for business and organisations who already hold data are huge; this means contacting everyone whose data is already held and ensuring that each individual consents to you continuing to hold it under the new regime.  The failure of businesses to comply will lead to very big fines.  In the majority of cases of course, you will be happy to agree to the retaining of your data as this will enable your doctor, your lawyer and your supplier to continue to take care of things for you.  

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulations and replaces the previous Data Protection Act – it is the first major change in 20 years. Think the recent news story around Facebook and Cambridge Analytica – this was all about data and how information about individuals is shared.  Listen to this podcast on Law in Action broadcast on 15 March 2018  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09v3fdt where once again Philip Giles is discussing GDPR, this time with Joshua Rozenberg.

So, be prepared for GDPR but also be pleased! And if you are a client of ours with a current open case, expect to hear from us with our new form of Privacy notice and consent, but also if you are not yet a client and wish for advice on how you can prepare your business or organisation then get in touch and we will help.