What is GDPR Compliance?
The GDPR - General Data Protection Regulation is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy in the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). It also addresses the transfer of personal data outside the EU and EEA areas (wikipedia).
The GDPR clarifies what personal data is and what can be done with it. Then it enhances individuals' control and rights over their personal data and to simplify the regulatory environment for international business by defining what is considered consent and ensuring cookies are treated as personal data and you consent to them before using them.
What are the main principle of GDPR?
Consent – If you are collecting personal data from an EU citizen, you must obtain specific, explicit consent.
Data rights – You must inform the individual where, why and how their data is processed/stored.
Breach Notification – An organization must report a data breach to the relevant authority within 72 hours if the breach does not cause harm or risk to personal data.
Data protection officer – Public authorities and companies that process data on a large scale will appoint a data protection officer.
How to Make Your Joomla Site GDPR Compliant
Businesses risk severe penalties if they fail to comply GDPR. For less egregious breaches, it can be fined up to the greater of 10 million Euros or 2% of the firm’s global turnover. More serious offences can incur fines up to the greater of 20 million Euros or 4% of the firm’s global turnover. Then, it is important to ensure your Joomla site is GDPR ready.
Use GDPR compliant template, extensions
GDPR compliance can be streamlined depending on the template and plugin you use to design your Joomla site. They must have the right features in place to allow users to consent to third-party cookies because they establish the interface that visitors use to engage with your site. Look for reliable providers who aim to make their products GDPR compliant when choosing Joomla templates or Joomla extensions.Cookie notification
Website cookies are one of the most frequent ways for personal data to be gathered and shared online. GDPR mandates that websites acquire personal data from users only after they have given their explicit consent to specific uses. Users must explicitly opt-in and accept cookies in order to do so.
Website forms & Newsletter signup
A newsletter subscription, inquiry/contact form, subscription form, or some other kind of user data collection may be available on your Joomla site. Before collecting data through these forms, you must get user consent under GDPR.
SSL certificate
GDPR does not state that your website must have an SSL certificate in order to be GDPR compliant. However, if your website collects and processes user data, you'll need an SSL-protected website to keep that information safe and secure.
It is your responsibility as a website owner to consult with legal professionals to understand the full scope of their GDPR compliance requirements. And, as said, take the essential actions to make your Joomla site GDPR-compliant.
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