107 countries have data protection rules in place to secure data privacy.

Even if all you are doing is collecting email addresses for your newsletter, you may get required in many countries to inform your audience of the facts and policies that pertain to your site. If you don’t follow data privacy regulations, you could end up with huge fines or legal action from website visitors.

What is data privacy, and how will it affect your customers both domestically and internationally? Let’s take a look.

1. The United States

In short, data privacy is a branch of security connected with the handling of data. It deals with how you store and collect data, as well as how information gets shared with third parties. Data privacy policies may require you to disclose how you will use the information before people share it with you.

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission regulates privacy laws. The Federal Government, however, leaves the details up to each state.

The data privacy bill in California, for example, requires businesses to disclose what information they collect, what business purposes they collect it for, and which third parties they share it with. Businesses must comply with official consumer requests to delete the data.

Data is an important aspect of any organization. Loss of information can lead to direct losses in the form of sales, fines, or monetary judgments. Privacy laws in your area are therefore of utmost importance. 

2. The United Kingdom

Data privacy in the UK gets regulated by the Information Commissioner’s Office. The law requires transparency about why you are collecting personal data and how you plan to use it.

If you use browser cookies, you need to clearly explain how you will use them. The law requires the informed consent of your users. UK policies focus on data protection fees, data offenses, the protection of children, and law enforcement.

3. The European Union

The General Data Protection Regulation became enforceable in 2019 in all countries in the European Union. These include Belgium, German, France, and Italy.

The GDPR protects citizens of the EU from unlawful data collection. It increases consent requirements.

Businesses who collect data are required to supply users with privacy policies that are easy to understand. It imposes punishments on any who violate its requirements.

Personally identifying information, such as names, emails, passport information, and bank details get regulated by GDPR. Sensitive personal data, such as health, political, ethnic, and religious information, also gets protected.

Under the GDPR, individuals are required to give informed consent about how their data gets processed. Companies need to implement clickwrap methods that utilize checkboxes and clearly labeled buttons. If you use cookies, you will probably need customer consent.

Companies get required to report data breaches within seventy-two hours, including the nature of the breach, consequences, and proposed measures taken.

Data protection assessments are required when data processing poses a threat to the rights and freedoms of a person. This may happen when a company possesses a lot of specialized personal data, or when they use new technology.

4. Brazil

Brazil is one example of a country that was inspired by the GDPR in the European Union. Its new General Data Privacy Law, which took effect in 2018, is nearly identical in terms of its scope, applicability, and penalties for noncompliance. 

5. Australia

Australia’s Privacy Principals (APP) is a collection of thirteen principals related to the handling of personal information.

The law details how and why you may collect personal information, as well as how individuals can access that information. In order to avoid complaints, the APP requires businesses to have a clear and accurate privacy policy that includes all requirements laid out by the APP. Larger organizations must disclose data breaches within thirty days.

6. Canada

Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Data Act governs how you collect, store, and use information about users online. Privacy policies must get made readily available to customers.

7. China

The Standardization Administration of China unveiled the final version of its privacy bill in 2018. It contains provisions related to transparency and personal rights over data and consent.

The law is similar to the GDPR. It contains guidance on user consent, data protection, data access, and obligations for disclosure. 

8. Japan

In Japan, the Personal Information Protection Act protects the rights of individuals when it comes to their personal data. The definition of personal data in Japan is very broad, and it even applies to information found in public directories.

In order to share personal information with a third party in Japan, you must obtain third-party consent. The law also contains provisions for third-party transfers, record-keeping, anonymity, and breaches.

Japan has created a “white list” of EU countries that use sufficient caution when handling personal information.

9. India

In India, The Information Technology Act requires every company to have a privacy policy on its website. The privacy policy is required to describe what data you collect, the purpose of the data, any third parties it could get disclosed to, and what security practices are used to protect the data.

There is some private information that cannot get collected without the consent of the user. This may include passwords or financial information.

What Is Data Privacy?

What is data privacy? It is one of the most important decisions you will make regarding your business. The security, trust, and future business of your customers depend upon your ability to keep their personal information secure.

For more information on streamlining your data privacy policy, request a demo today.