GDPR For Market Research Organizations
- Overview
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a regulation implemented by the European Union (EU) to protect the privacy and personal data of EU citizens. Market research organizations that collect, process, or store personal data of EU citizens must comply with the GDPR. This includes obtaining explicit consent from individuals before collecting their data, ensuring the data is collected for a specific purpose, and allowing individuals to access and request the deletion of their data. Organizations that do not comply with the GDPR can face significant fines.
- Approach
GDPR has changed the way marketers communicate with their customers. In this article, we share everything you need to know about GDPR for market research organizations. Companies conducting market research studies must show that they have a “legal basis for processing personal information” to comply with Article 6 of the GDPR.
Data controllers and processors must understand the lawful basis on which they are processing information and be clear on which they are using and why. There are six lawful bases for processing information, including consent, contract, and legal obligation.
Companies should also strive to be transparent about exactly what information will be stored, how long it will be stored for, for what purposes it will be used and who will see it/use it.
Special category data is personal data which the GDPR says is more sensitive and as such needs more protection. It is important to make sure you have a proper incident response policy that is understood and adhered to should anything go wrong. With regards to Brexit and GDPR, the UK has adopted GDPR into domestic law and it will remain in effect post-Brexit.
- Benefits
The key benefits of GDPR compliance for market research organizations include:
- Increased transparency and trust: By being transparent about data collection, processing and storage, market research organizations can build trust with their participants and customers.
- Improved data security: GDPR requires organizations to take appropriate measures to protect personal data, reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to personal information.
- Better data quality: GDPR requires organizations to collect only the data that is necessary for the specific purpose, which can lead to more accurate and high-quality data.
- Risk management: GDPR compliance helps organizations identify and mitigate risks associated with personal data processing, reducing the risk of penalties and reputational damage.
- Better compliance: GDPR sets a standard for data protection that is followed globally, it helps organizations to be compliant to other regulations as well.
- Better insights: GDPR compliance encourages organizations to use data in ethical ways, this can lead to better insights, research, and better decision making.
- Deliverables
The key deliverables for market research organizations to comply with GDPR include:
- Data Protection Officer: Market research organizations may be required to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to ensure compliance with GDPR.
- Privacy Policy: Organizations must have a clear and concise privacy policy that explains how personal data is collected, processed, and stored.
- Data protection impact assessment: Market research organizations must conduct a Data protection impact assessment (DPIA) for high-risk data processing activities
- Consent forms: Organizations must obtain explicit and informed consent from individuals before collecting their personal data.
- Data processing agreements: Organizations must have agreements in place with any third-party processors of personal data.
- Data retention and destruction: Organizations must have a clear policy on how long personal data will be retained and how it will be securely destroyed when no longer needed.
- Data breaches notification: Organizations must have a plan in place for how to notify the relevant authorities and individuals in case of a data breach.
- Subject access requests: Organizations must have processes in place to respond to requests from individuals to access, rectify, delete or transfer their personal data.
- Training
We provide fair regulation, clear guidance and practical advice. We help research flourish. MRS offers over 70 training courses, professional and industry-specific, all of which are designed to keep you up to date with the latest regulations and best practices. For those in the market research industry, we offer GDPR Training for Market Research Organizations course. This course covers the fundamentals of GDPR and offers special guidance for all the organizations that need to be compliant. It also covers the essential topics such as the definition of personal data, the principles of data protection, data subjects’ rights, and data controllers’ and processors’ obligations. Additionally, the course covers data security and data breaches, data transfers to third countries, and more.
GDPR training programs are designed to educate employees and stakeholders about the requirements of the GDPR and how to comply with them. These programs may include the following elements:
- Overview of GDPR: A general introduction to the GDPR, including its key provisions and requirements.
- Data protection principles: A thorough explanation of the key data protection principles outlined in the GDPR, such as data minimization, accuracy, and security.
- Data subject rights: Information on the rights of individuals under the GDPR, including the right to access, correct, and delete personal data.
- Data breaches: Guidance on how to detect, report, and respond to data breaches in compliance with GDPR requirements.
- Data protection impact assessments: Training on how to conduct DPIA’s and identify high-risk data processing activities that require a DPIA.
- GDPR compliance in practice: Practical examples and case studies of how GDPR applies in different business contexts and how to implement compliance measures.
- Role-specific training: Training tailored to specific roles and responsibilities within the organization, such as data controllers, processors, and DPOs.
- Refreshment training: GDPR requires that the training shall be updated and refreshed periodically to keep the employees up-to-date with the latest development in the regulation and any changes to the organization’s processes.
REACH US TO ENSURE THAT WHEN EVEN WHEN A CRISIS STRIKES, YOUR BUSINESS MUST GO ON AS USUAL.