What should a GDPR-compliant privacy policy include?
In this post, we’ll look at a GDPR privacy policy template and list everything you may need to make your privacy policy compliant!
Jump to our free privacy policy template or keep reading for a deep dive into crafting a perfect privacy policy, including why you need one for your website and examples.
The General Data Protection Regulation, at its most basic, specifies how personal data should be lawfully processed, including how it’s collected, used, protected or interacted with in general.
It’s meant to strengthen data protection for all people whose personal information fall within its scope of application.
When you collect users’ data, the GDPR requires that you show a privacy policy, whether if you run a website, an app, an eCommerce or a newsletter (these are just a few examples).
Your privacy policy should be clear and unambiguous, up-to-date and easily accessible throughout your website or app. It should state, at the very least:
As we said, these are just the basic elements.
For instance, you may also need to add the name and contact details of your Data Protection Officer (DPO), or EU representative if that applies to your company.
This article is a part of our series on GDPR and GDPR compliance. Read also:
Here’s a template of a GDPR-compliant privacy policy, generated with iubenda’s Privacy and Cookie Policy Generator.
Just click the button to open it!
Privacy PolicyNon-compliance can have strong consequences.
GDPR is well-known for its hefty fines, which can amount up to EUR 20 million (€20m) or 4% of the annual worldwide turnover – whichever is greater.
But perhaps equally as concerning are the other potential sanctions: official reprimands (for first-time violations), periodic data protection audits and liability damages.
You can quickly create a GDPR-compliant privacy policy using a privacy policy generator like iubenda. The generator will guide you to enter details about your site or app, what personal data you collect, and how you use it. iubenda’s easy-to-use privacy policy creator helps you make a customizable policy in minutes that meets GDPR standards.
Make sure your policy is easy to understand. It should explain the rights of people, like how they can access, change, or delete their data, and how to disagree with data use. With our free GDPR privacy policy generator, you can easily add these key points, making sure your policy fits your business perfectly.
A standard GDPR privacy policy is a document that outlines to users how a website, app, or organization collects, uses, shares, and manages personal data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) standards. This policy should be easily accessible, written in clear and straightforward language, and must include:
The GDPR stands on seven main principles that govern the handling of personal data:
The GDPR, or General Data Protection Regulation, is a comprehensive data protection law that came into effect on May 25, 2018, in the European Union. It is designed to give individuals more control over their personal data and to unify data protection regulations across all EU member states.
The GDPR applies to any organization, regardless of location, that processes the personal data of EU residents. It specifies transparency, security, and accountability by data processors and controllers, giving individuals the right to access, correct, delete, and restrict the processing of their data, including how it’s collected, used, protected or interacted with in general.
While the GDPR is governed by several principles and detailed provisions, three core rules or requirements can be highlighted for simplification:
These rules are part of the broader framework established by the GDPR to protect personal data and ensure privacy rights.
As mentioned above, any business processing the personal data of individuals in the European Union must create a GDPR-compliant privacy policy. This example aims to provide a basic outline. It is highly recommended to use a professional privacy policy generator to ensure that your privacy policy is fully compliant with the GDPR and reflects the specificities of your data processing activities. This approach simplifies the process of creating a tailored privacy policy that meets your requirements.
Introduction
[Your Company Name] is committed to protecting the privacy of our users and customers. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect personal information in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Data Collection
We collect personal data when you visit our website, use our services, or interact with us. This may include:
Purpose of Processing
Your data is processed for the following purposes:
Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal data based on:
Data Sharing and Transfer
We may share your data with third parties for service provision, legal compliance, or with your explicit consent. Data may be transferred outside the EU, and we ensure all transfers comply with GDPR.
Data Subject Rights
Under GDPR, you have the right to:
Data Security
We take appropriate measures to ensure data security, protect against unauthorized access, and comply with GDPR.
Data Retention
Personal data is retained as long as necessary for the purposes stated, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
Changes to this Policy
We may update this policy. We will notify you of significant changes and update the “last updated” date at the top of the policy.
Contact Us
For questions or to exercise your data protection rights, please contact our Data Protection Officer at [Contact Information].
Below, we explore how several well-known brands, including e-commerce platforms and service providers, articulate their GDPR privacy policies. We delve into the privacy policies of Barbour, a British luxury and lifestyle brand known for its outerwear, and Squarebird, a digital marketing and web development agency, to provide a broader perspective on privacy practices across different industries.
❗️ These GDPR privacy policy examples showcase the diversity of privacy policies across different sectors, from tech and e-commerce to lifestyle brands and digital marketing agencies. Each organization’s approach to GDPR compliance reflects its unique data processing activities and customer interactions.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s essential to refer directly to the privacy policies on each company’s website.
iubenda’s tools can help you achieve GDPR compliance in minutes. Access our full range of GDPR solutions here.
