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What is GDPR and why you should about it?

May 25th, 2018 will be the day that GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is enforceable, it is necessary to get your WordPress site ready for this new regulation if you are running a website or business which aims to Europe market. Why is this regulation so important to know? In today article we are going to discuss about GDPR introduction as well as some suggested solutions to help you have a better preparation for the enforceable day!

GDPR and reasons to be aware of it

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a new regulation of Europe to protect EU citizens individual privacy and data. This rule is going to be enforceable officially on May 25th, 2018. According to the regulation, Europe citizens have a full control over how their data will be used by any companies or organizations from everywhere in the world. The rule introduction has a considerable influence on the way WordPress websites run their business, even websites which are not from EU. We can also say that our site must be compliant with this regulation when your site has visitor source from EU, and business which main customers is EU market.

There are many heavy fines which have been mentioned in GDPR depend on how someone/a company violates the regulation. It is totally possible to get the heaviest fine (might up to € 20 million) if your site is not compliant with GDPR. It takes few weeks before the enforceable day of GDPR, therefore, it’s time to get ready!

EU Cookie Law and GDPR

Before GDPR, there was an ePrivacy Directive to protect EU citizens individual privacy and data, known as EU Directive 2009/136/EC (EU Cookie Law). This law is enforceable to all EU member states and websites beyond Europe area which aims to EU market. It is popular when you’re surfing the websites and see the notification “This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience”, but it is only used to inform us that our connection may not be private without offering any other option to choose. Plus, because EU Cookie Legislation is not truly a law, this rule not lists any particular fine for someone who violates it, so it is not enough strict. Now with GDPR, it lists specific fines with tighter and stricter rules. It enforces users to confirm their data may be collected, provides the specific policy which mentions what data will be saved and used, besides, users can withdraw their agreement of saving and using their data as well if they want.

Guide to help your site compliant with GDPR

Make sure you follow carefully the list below to get your site ready for the enforceable day of General Data Protection Regulation:

• Concern about the way your site will collect visitors data.
• Be sure that every user can manage their data from your site through putting mechanisms in eye-catching position.
• Avoid collecting data when it is not essential.
• Use tools which have features to make your site GDPR compliance:

For EU Cookie Law: Best EU Cookie Law WordPress Plugin

For the General Data Protection Regulation:  GDPR WordPress plugin for your site

Conclusion

That’s all of our article today. Thank you so much for reading! Hope it can somehow help you make a great preparation for the enforceable day. If you have any question about this post, please feel free to leave a comment below, we will reply as soon as possible!

ET Digital Team

We’re a Digital Team from EngineTemplate with 5 content experts. Our team has 5 years exp in open source Joomla and WordPress, we make daily blogs and build useful resources for everyone who is having issues with open source while using it.