5 GDPR requirements for your Newsletter’s Content

5 GDPR requirements for your Newsletter’s Content

The GDPR, in specific, gives personal data owners the explicit right to file a problem with a supervisory authority if they feel that any processing of their individual data was performed in infraction of regulations. So for example, if a report is made to the authority about an instance of regulatory violation, the authority might pick to perform an audit of your information processing operations. If it’s found that some processing activity was done unlawfully, not only is a fine enforced, but you may be forbidden from making more use of both the data of the questions and information obtained utilizing comparable systems. This indicates that if the offence usage was in regards to email address collection, you risk being barred from using the entire involved e-mail list.

Legal Repercussions of non-compliance: The legal implications of non-compliance consist of large fines. More concerning are the other possible sanctions that may be implemented against companies found to be in violation. These sanctions include official reprimands (for first-time violations), periodic data protection audits and liability damages.

Legal Repercussions of liability damages: Laws offer personal data owners the right to demand compensation for any damages resulting from an organization’s non-compliance with policies. This implies that violating policies can leave you open to potential lawsuits, without a winning chance.

Loss of Services as Repercussions of non-compliance: Some 3rd-party services might be forced to terminate their services towards you because you break their compliance with legal regulations. In such cases, a violation of legal requirements can likewise be considered an offence of their terms; such offences might cause immediate service termination or potentially, permanent bans.

Reputational damage: Failure to adhere to your legal responsibilities may cause customers negatively perceiving your service and/or products as either inept or malicious. This can cause substantial and long-lasting damage to public trust and for the reputation of your organization.

This is an example of a compliant business communication that contains all the GDPR requirements. Nevertheless, the positioning of the requirements is entirely up to you, just make sure comply and the information is visible.

For everybody in the EU, the ePrivacy instruction sets total guidelines that are separately executed by member states, however, there are some common components within the scope of the compliance. These are the 5 EU anti-spam requirements you must obey in EACH newsletter you send out:

1. – Supply an unsubscribe link: The withdrawal alternative needs to be clear, noticeable and quickly accessible. This aspect falls under the scope of the GDPR and particularly under the right of erasure; as such, you will have a maximum of one month to honour personal data owner’s withdrawal demands. It’s worth saying though that while the law may offer you one month to honour these demands, the majority of customers will not. It is therefore prudent to honour opt-out requests quickly or risk being marked as spam and compromising the overall authenticity of your associated address and even escalate to local authorities risking an official audit.

2. – Clearly provide your identity as sender: Camouflaged sender identities are forbidden; the information should be clear and straight-forward. Don’t hide behind your brand. State your company details, full physical address and legal identification details required in your country.

3. – Include a physical business address: A valid return address should be offered. State your company details, full physical address and legal identification details required in your country. In cases of several offices and/or different branches, mention the related one as this is as relevant as the main business details.

4. – Clearly identify and define the nature of the message: You should indicate, in an unambiguous way, the type of message being sent out (promotional or not; formal or informal). Failing to comply with this part, any receiver has a real motive to raise complaints and escalate towards authorities. Some legislation may, even more, need that you include info on how to contact the sender. It’s constantly finest practice to either merely follows the most robust legislations or to examine the local anti-spam requirements specific to where your recipients are based.

5. – Do not use false or deceptive expressions: Marketing in any form (including commercial messages) should not be done in a manner in which would make it most likely to trick the persons to whom it reaches. This also creates a starting point for complaints about those users, seeing through your charade.
 

Do you have any concerns with sending emails and newsletters because of GDPR?
Leave your thoughts in the comments below!