Why Is My Inbox Full Of GDPR?
How important is your privacy? How do you feel about the data that has been collected about you? And are you happy to give your consent to a big company, such as Google, to collect information about your shopping habits, for instance?
These are just a few of the questions are at the heart of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). As it arrived on 25 May 2018, it prompted companies to trawl their databases and send out many emails to customers and clients. Understandably, the sheer volume of emails – and their different requests for consent – has left many people confused and asking what is going on?
In this blog from Blue Whale Media, the web design company Manchester, we’ll examine some of the issues around this recent legislation. And we feel it’s important to start with a definition of GDPR.
What Is GDPR?
To put it simply, GDPR consists of guidelines for the collection and handling of personal information within the European Union. It sets out principles for data management, and it could be used to fine a company that is breaking the rules.
It was introduced so that people could have more control over their personal data and there would be a simpler regulatory environment. So, in effect, all the emails you received were asking for your consent for private information – such as an email address – to be kept on record.
That all sounds good to us, here at our website design Manchester agency. But we are aware of how press reports have criticised GDPR and its implementation. Some privacy experts, for instance, are now saying that GDPR is too vague and it’s been interpreted in many different ways by companies large and small.
For instance, you may notice that some emails ask for a specific action – such as “you HAVE to click on the link below” to carry on receiving information – while others say, “You don’t need to do anything”.
The Cookie Approach
The GDPR guidelines are clearly full of complex details, and they’ve been perceived in numerous ways by data protection experts. But at our web design company Manchester we’re aware that many companies have rewritten their cookie banners, as a result of GDPR.
The cookie message from Google, for instance, began in the following way: “Scroll down and click ‘I agree’ when you’re ready to continue to Search, or explore other options on this page.
“To be consistent with data protection laws, we’re asking you to take a moment to review key points of Google’s Privacy Policy. This isn’t about a change that we’ve made – it’s just a chance to review some key points.”
At our website design Manchester agency we’re fascinated by this kind of information and what it means for the company and the consumer.
Following on from that opening paragraph, the message explains what Google collects from you – such as your search for a restaurant on Google Maps or a video on YouTube – and why. On the latter point, one main reason given is so Google can deliver ads based on your interests.
Contact Our Web Design Company Manchester
Here at Blue Whale Media, we keep a keen eye on technology news and we feel it’s helpful to keep you informed of areas that may affect you or your company. Call us today for all your website design, SEO or content creation needs.
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