As a start-up, the personal data you collect exposes you to the data protection laws you must respect. That's why it is important to understand the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and ensure compliance with its requirements; otherwise, you face significant fines and negative publicity. That's not what a startup wants on its way to profitability. 

This article will explain the GDPR, its requirements, and the steps startups need to take to become GDPR compliant.

GDPR Compliance for Startups and Scaleups: The Basics

The European Union passed the General Data Protection Regulation to protect Europeans' personal data. It also applies to all the data processed by European companies.

In general, it bans any data processing without a legal basis. Those with a legal basis must adhere to strict requirements.

Finally, it grants people with extensive data subject rights that they can exercise directly with the companies that control or process their data.

Posting privacy policies and cookie banners is rarely enough. Let's dive into what you really need to do to comply.

Is GDPR applicable to our startup?

In some cases, the GDPR applies both within Europe and outside Europe.

This applies consistently when European companies process data belonging to any individual worldwide.

This also applies to the processing of personal data of European residents by any startup worldwide.

As a result, a company processes an individual's data. If at least one of them is European, the GDPR applies. If both are from outside Europe—US, Brazil, India, or any other country—it does not apply.

What are the GDPR and personal data?

Any information that can identify an individual is considered personal data. This includes, but is not limited to, names, addresses, IP addresses, biometrics, and cookie data. The GDPR applies to all types of personal data, including sensitive data such as health records, political views, and religious beliefs.

In this GDPR guide for startups, we won't dive deeper into this matter. For more information, click here for our article on GDPR.

Data processing and GDPR requirements

Startups must have a lawful basis for processing user data, such as consent, legitimate interest, or vital interests. That's the main difference between the EU and the US. The US allows all data processing until the user opts out. In Europe, you cannot process any data unless you have a valid legal basis.

Whether a startup is in its early stages or has grown to a large scale, it must respect the laws. You have to start your GDPR compliance journey from day one. 

In some cases, startups must appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to oversee GDPR compliance for their company. The DPO must also conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for any high-risk processing activities to ensure that the startup complies with the GDPR. They would also be responsible for providing GDPR training to staff members.

Before collecting and processing personal data, the startup must also obtain clear and informed consent from the data subjects. This includes obtaining cookie consent and providing data subjects with access to their data. Additionally, startups must have a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) in place with any data processors they use, such as SAAS providers or mobile app developers. The DPA must outline the responsibilities of each party concerning personal data and ensure that the startup is fully compliant with the GDPR.

In summary, the GDPR sets out strict requirements for startups that process personal data, including obtaining consent, appointing a DPO, conducting DPIAs, implementing security measures, and minimizing the customer data they collect and process. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in significant fines and negative publicity, so startups must take the GDPR seriously and seek legal advice if uncertain about their compliance status.

Importance of Security Measures

Startups must implement appropriate security measures to safeguard personal data against unauthorized access, loss, and theft, as emphasized by the GDPR. This includes encryption, access controls, and regular security audits. Startups must also regularly assess their security measures to ensure that they remain adequate as their organization grows and the types of data they process change. Additionally, startups must have a process to promptly detect, report, and respond to data breaches.

Consent Management and Data Processing Agreement

Startups must obtain clear and informed consent from data subjects before collecting and processing their personal data. This includes obtaining cookie consent and ensuring that data subjects are able to withdraw their consent at any time. Additionally, startups must have a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) in place with any data processors they use, such as SAAS providers or mobile app developers. The DPA must specify the data processing activities, security measures, and responsibilities of both the startup and the data processor.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Non-compliance with the GDPR can result in significant fines and negative publicity. The consequences of non-compliance can be severe, with GDPR fines reaching up to 4% of a company's global revenue or €20 million, whichever is higher. Startups must take the GDPR seriously and comply fully with its requirements. If a startup is uncertain about its compliance status, it should seek legal advice to ensure that it complies with the GDPR. Non-compliance with the GDPR can also damage a startup's reputation and negatively impact its customer base, so it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure full compliance.

Best Practices for Data Minimization and Privacy Compliance

One of the key principles of the GDPR is data minimization, which means that startups should only collect and process the personal data necessary for a specific purpose. To ensure data minimization, startups should regularly review the personal data they collect and delete any data that is no longer necessary.

Startups must also ensure that their privacy laws align with the GDPR and comply with privacy laws in other jurisdictions. This includes obtaining cookie consent, providing data subjects with access to their data, and complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) if they serve customers in California.

Data Processing Agreements

A Data Processing Agreement (DPA) is a contract between a company (the data controller) and any third party (the data processor) that processes personal data on its behalf. The DPA outlines the scope, purpose, and duration of the data processing activities, as well as the obligations and rights of both parties.

For startups, a DPA is essential to ensure compliance with data protection laws, like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), but also with the US state privacy laws. It helps to safeguard personal data, protect against breaches, and clarify responsibilities. This agreement typically includes provisions on data security, confidentiality, data breach notification, and subprocessing. It is one of the basic steps to GDPR compliance. 

By having a DPA in place, startups can mitigate risks associated with data processing and demonstrate accountability, which is critical for building trust with customers and partners. It also provides a framework for managing third-party vendors, ensuring they adhere to the same data protection standards as the startup.

Staying up-to-date with GDPR and Other Data Protection Laws

Staying up-to-date with the GDPR regulations can be challenging, especially for startups operating in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment. Startups should seek legal advice from a GDPR specialist to ensure they comply fully with the regulation.

Startups must also regularly review their GDPR compliance and make any necessary changes to their processes and systems. This will help to ensure that they can stay ahead of the curve and avoid any negative consequences of non-compliance.

A Guide to GDPR for Startups and Scaleups: Final Thoughts

Startups must take the GDPR seriously and comply fully with its requirements. This includes conducting DPIAs, implementing security measures, obtaining consent, and minimizing the personal data they collect and process. Failure to comply with the GDPR can result in significant fines and negative publicity, so startups should seek legal advice if uncertain about their compliance status.