Publications

EC Data Privacy Proposals - what companies should do now

1 February 2012

The EC’s proposed Data Privacy rules are complex…

The European Commission has proposed sweeping changes to the data protection rules that companies must follow. The proposals set out a host of new responsibilities for companies including:

• Regular internal data audits and privacy impact assessments
• Employing and training a Data Protection Officer
• Updating systems and user interfaces to allow opt-in consent in all scenarios
• Setting up systems to allow portability of an individual’s data to third parties in the format of their choice
• Ensuring that systems comply with the ‘right to be forgotten’ and give the ability to remove all relevant data

All of this will be costly for businesses to implement. But failing to comply with the new rules could turn out to be even more expensive as the EC is proposing fines of up to 2% of annual global turnover for companies that breach the rules.

…so we’ve written a free paper to help you understand them

If you would like a copy of our free paper exploring how the changes will affect companies across the European Union, please email: james.mullock@osborneclarke.com  

And we can help you prepare

The sooner businesses start preparing for the new rules, the better they will fare in the new environment.

We can help with:

• Data audits and Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs)
• Cookie law compliance advice
• Scoping the Data Protection Officer role
• Data breach advice
• Staff training
• Dealing with regulators on your behalf
• Advice on lobbying
• Immediate on the ground assistance and advice in the event of a data breach
• Access to a 24 hour help line

If you would like to find out more

Please feel free to contact James Mullock for an informal discussion: +44 117 917 3322 or james.mullock@osborneclarke.com  

 

Contacts

If you want to find out more about any of the issues in this publication please get in touch with one of our experts.

Subscribe here for updates

These materials are written and provided for general information purposes only. They are not intended and should not be used as a substitute for taking legal advice. Specific legal advice should be taken before acting on any of the topics covered.