GDPR: A new law for the digital age

We’re all spending more time online, whether it’s for business or pleasure.  This means companies are collecting a vast amount of information about us which can be quite personal.

For example, some us use online dating apps which may give away our sexual preferences, or fitness apps which log our sensitive health data.  Travel cards log our movement, and online shopping recommends products based on our purchases.

New Data Protection legislation means companies now have to tell us what they are holding about us, and, in some cases, erase information we don’t want them to have.

The new laws will give us more control.  The law is being updated as we have become more technologically advanced, and companies are now more accountable and customers have more control.

The new law includes the right to be forgotten.  This makes is more easier for us to find out what companies hold about us and getting information erased when we don’t want them to have it anymore.

There’ll be an end to tick boxes which lead to us handing over data to companies by default.  Companies will have to be explicit about what they will do to our data and we have to opt in.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO - the data watchdog) can fine companies up to £17 million or up to 4% of global turnover (whichever is greater) for misuse of data.