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Book a demoLet a friendly Gnomen expert answer all of your questions and take you through the system online in 15 minutes. Just choose a time that suits you. |
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Book a demoLet a friendly Gnomen expert answer all of your questions and take you through the system online in 15 minutes. Just choose a time that suits you. |
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Montana HBusiness Development Director
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The introduction of strict new data regulations is now only a matter of days away.
On Friday 25 May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will replace the Data Protection Act 1998 and apply to all countries in the EU.
As Britain is still a member of the union at this point, the new rules will be unaffected by Brexit.
A quick summary
The main aim of GDPR is to tighten up any data weak spots, in the process making individuals and organisations less vulnerable to data breaches. In addition to this, citizens will be given greater control over their personal data than ever before – with companies forced to ask permission to use data in a certain way and to keep people informed of how their data is being used and stored.
Once GDPR has been implemented, people will have a number of rights when it comes to data, including but not limited to the right to erasure, the right to object, the right of access, the right to be informed and the right to data portability.
The regulatory environment for businesses - which can often be messy and complicated – will also be simplified to ensure everyone is on the same page.
GDPR is particularly applicable to those who use or handle large volumes of personal data, such as estate agents, letting agents and property management firms, with considerable fines for those who don’t play by the rule book.
The fines for non-compliance, issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) – the official data protection watchdog - will be up to €10 million, or 2% annual global turnover (whichever is higher), or up to €20 million, or 4% annual global turnover (whichever is higher). The fines are discretionary and based on a case-by-case basis, and not all acts of non-compliance will be punished equally.
The importance of being GDPR-compliant
At Gnomen, we take compliance – and the new regulations – very seriously. As such, we have made a number of modifications to our business model to help our customers be compliant.
This includes UK data centres, 256 BIT encryption and the ability to gain mass consent from database contacts.
What’s more, our software and websites provide our clients with the options to unsubscribe and manage subscriptions, as well as providing automatic registration emails and data cleansing options.
With so much to consider with the new data regulations, having these options available will help no end when it comes to being fully compliant and ensuring best practice at all times.
In a new GDPR world, there will need to be total transparency and accountability with regards to data and data protection. Having a bespoke, well-functioning website with numerous cutting-edge features, and a property software system that is secure, responsive and can be managed from anywhere in the world at a click of a button, will help towards making that possible.
To find out what Gnomen can do for you – and how we are GDPR compliant – you can call 0208 123 9019 or book a free demo here.
For more information about GDPR the ICO’s website is a useful resource, with a comprehensive guide into how to be fully compliant.
We also took a more in-depth look at the new data protection legislation in this previous blog.
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