Ever since 2018 when the GDPR came into full effect, European webmasters were forced to become much more conscious about how they treat their visitors’ personal data. After all, failing to comply with these strict guidelines could result in steep regulatory fines.
At the same time, web design agencies are not off the hook either. As GDPR specifies, as long as the website you’re working on provides any kind of goods or services or tracks the users’ online activities, then it is required by law to comply with its guidelines.
The takeaways are as follows:
- 1 1. It should be 100% transparent what personal data is being gathered
- 2 2. Data breaches must be reported in 72 hours
- 3 3. Work with your client to ensure optimal security
- 4 4. Craft an ironclad privacy policy
- 5 5. Store personal data in the right file formats
- 6 6. Your web design agency could be liable
- 7 7. Implement consent prompts
- 8 To Conclude
1. It should be 100% transparent what personal data is being gathered
In case a visitor ever asks what data is being gathered on the website, the website’s operator is required by law to provide the answers promptly. A GDPR-compliant website should make the process as easy and hassle-free as possible. Furthermore, users have the right to request for their personal data to be updated or removed at any time, even if they request to have it retrieved through data removal services such as Incogni.
2. Data breaches must be reported in 72 hours
In the unfortunate event of a data breach, it needs to be reported in 72 hours or less to the affected individual as well as the ICO. The company operating the website needs to have a tight plan in place in regard to how it’s planning to deal with such breaches, should any occur.
3. Work with your client to ensure optimal security
With the introduction of GDPR, web design agencies need to wear at least two hats – the one of a web designer and that of a cyber security expert. This includes encrypting the website’s databases and instructing the client on how to keep any cyber security risks to a minimum.
4. Craft an ironclad privacy policy
A web design agency needs to come up with a privacy policy that stands on its own two legs in the face of scrutiny. Moreover, it should be placed in such a way that it’s easily noticeable and accessible at any time. Since there are many GDPR-compliant privacy policy generators out there, this shouldn’t be too challenging of a task. Among other things, it should clearly specify how the users’ data is being handled and make cookie usage as transparent as possible.
5. Store personal data in the right file formats
While securing the user’s personal information is the most important thing to keep in mind, it should also be easily accessible on demand in case a user requests to see it.
6. Your web design agency could be liable
Some of your clients may have second thoughts about taking on the legal burden of staying GDPR compliant, so you need to be prepared to take on some of these liabilities on your own, thus acting as their data protection officer.
7. Implement consent prompts
As per GDPR, all visitors need to be informed about what personal data is being collected and for what purposes. The easiest way to accomplish this is at the point of entry by presenting a consent prompt. Note that the prompt should refuse to let them through unless they provide their consent – the last thing you want is to display a useless popup that doesn’t take the user’s choice into account.
To Conclude
The information provided above is meant as general guidance, so please do your own research if you want to be fully GDPR compliant and ensure that your clients are too. All in all, it should prove as a good starting point.
