THE GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (GDPR)
What is the GDPR?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a new privacy legislation that replaces the EU Data Protection Directive (Directive 95/46/EC) within the European Union. The GDPR regulates the collection, use, transfer, and sharing of personal data with the key purpose of protecting it. The legislation comes into effect from 25th May 2018.
What constitutes personal data?
Personal data includes any information related to a living resident or citizen of the EU that can be used to directly or indirectly identify the person. It can be anything from a name, a photo, an email address, medical information.
Who does the GDPR affect?
The GDPR affects companies processing the personal data of individuals residing in the European Union, regardless of a company’s location. It applies not only to organisations located within the EU, but also to organisations located outside of the EU if they offer goods or services to, or monitor the behavior of EU residents and/or citizens.
How will the GDPR affect businesses?
The GDPR requires organisations to be transparent on how personal data is collected, used, and stored. This requires transparency from organisations on what personal data is collected, purposes for which it is collected, and who it is shared with. It also requires companies to enable individuals whose personal data is being processed to exercise their rights in relation to their data. The GDPR also requires companies to ensure appropriate protections when EU personal data is transferred outside the EU (including transfers to the US).
What new user rights does GDPR regulate?
- Right to Access. EU residents and citizens (or “Data Subjects,” as they are called in the regulation) have the right to obtain confirmation from the organisation that has collected their data as to whether their personal data is being processed, where, and for what purpose. They also currently have (and will continue to have under the GDPR) the right to receive a copy of this personal data.
- Right to Be Forgotten (or Data Erasure). Data Subjects can demand that the organisations erase their personal data and cease further dissemination of the data.
- Data Portability. Data Subjects can receive the personal data concerning them (which they have previously provided) in a machine-readable format and have the right to transmit that data to another organisation.
Why is it so important for businesses to be compliant?
The GDPR is a regulation that requires businesses to protect the personal data and privacy of EU persons and for transactions that occur within EU member states.
Ocean Telecom and the GDPR
What changes is Ocean Telecom making for the GDPR?
Ocean Telecom has made the following changes to become compliant with the GDPR:
- Support for Data Subject Deletion/Access Rights for customers
- Updated, GDPR-compliant privacy framework
How does Ocean Telecom ensure data security?
Ocean Telecom has carried out a robust security audit to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal data. These audits ensure data security and will be reviewed regularly.
Where can I learn more on how Ocean Telecom processes data for customers and/or prospects?
Ocean Telecom maintains a Privacy Policy on our website that outlines how we collect and use data, how we share the data of customers, end users and leads. To update your preferences please click here.