gdpr.

General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR defines the rules for managing other people’s data. It lays out our obligations to inform customers of which data we collect and how we plan to use them.

But I’m just interested in a website, I don’t collect any customer data … do I? –

I’m sure you are familiar with websites that immediately pop-up information about cookies. Most of us just click ‘accept’ or ‘deny’, even on this website! You will likely use cookies too on your new website.

So what are cookies for? –

Cookies are bits of information that get stored in your web browserGoogle Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, Firefox are all examples of web browsers. These cookies hold tiny bits of information about our visit to the website.

For example, when you visit a shop online and add an item to your cart, that cart gets a number or a code. When you visit that website again, it will check your web browser for any cookies they created last time. This information tells them that you visited before so they can load your last shopping and you will continue where you left off.

In fact, when you visited this site, saw the cookie popup, and selected ‘allow’ or ‘deny’ we needed to store your choice somewhere so we don’t show you that pop-up on every page. Where did we store your choice? Correct, it’s stored in a cookie. Ironic I know.

Actual Cookies by Alexander Grey from Unsplash on Jammin Web Deisgn

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Cookies are used for analytics, shopping carts, sites that have a login area, advertising, social media etc. They are everywhere on the web and chart your flow from one website to another and keep track of what you like and what you don’t.

Some websites are so reliant on cookies that they simply don’t work without them!

So GDPR is just about cookies when it comes to websites? –

No, any information that you collect on customers is governed by GDPR. A contact form that people complete, a mailing list, or even a comments area are all data you collect on individuals.

Got it, so what do I need to do? –

Any tracking of any kind will need to have a cookie pop-up just like you see everywhere. Your pop-up needs to connect to a Privacy Policy and/or Cookie Policy page on your website. Check the menu at the bottom of this page to see our examples.

Your Privacy Policy is a great place to explain what you do with customer data that you collect offline too; addresses, contact details, notes etc. If you collect certain data you will also need to register with the ICO where you can also enjoy reading a *lot* more about GDPR.