Celebrating International Data Privacy Day: 11 Best Practices for Business Compliance in 2024

To the world of bookworms, January 28th marks the day Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen’s most famous novel, was published in the United Kingdom the same way to music fans the same day celebrates Elvis Presley’s first national television appearance in the United States. But in the data privacy landscape, January 28th, marks International Data Protection Day, commemorating the beginning of Convention 108, the only “international, multilateral and legally binding instrument to protect privacy and personal data,” with 55 parties and 36 observers to date. 

In 2023, we watched the data privacy landscape expand with eight new consumer privacy laws across the United States, and several others both in the US and around the world being considered. At the start of that year we suggested 7 ways you can celebrate International Data Privacy Day. In light of the expansion we mentioned, in 2024, we are offering you 11 best practices for your business’ compliance with data privacy laws, so you can stay relevant in your field, compliant with any data privacy laws applicable, and penalty-free. 

To that end, here’s what you should consider checking off your list first thing on Monday. 

1. Look into a good Consent Management Platform (CMP)
   In the digital age, businesses handle sensitive data, emphasizing the need for data privacy. A Consent Management Platform (CMP), often mistakenly referred to also as a Cookie Consent Banner, is vital for managing user consents, ensuring transparency, having an audit-ready trail of consent receipts, and avoiding legal issues. Investing in a reliable CMP protects customer trust and the company's reputation.
2. Check the cookies' configuration on your website
   If you use cookies for technical reasons, advertisement or gathering analytics you need to consider applicable regulations and whether your cookies are configured in compliance with these. You may be required to notify your users about the placement of the cookies, collect consent for data processing, or provide an opt-out mechanism. 
3. Check your data subject requests (DSR) to ensure you’ve answered all of them
   Thoroughly review all the data subject requests (DSRs) you’ve received and address the ones still open or pending. Ensuring compliance with data subject requests, such as data subject access requests (DSARs), correction, or deletion requests, is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental aspect of maintaining trust with customers. Failing to respond to or overlooking these requests may lead to legal consequences, damage your company's reputation, and erode your customers’ trust. Regularly checking and promptly addressing data subject requests demonstrates your business’ commitment to privacy, builds transparency with your users, and reinforces a positive relationship between your business and its customers.
4. Make sure you have a privacy policy and a cookie policy published on your website
   Having a written document describing to your users how your business collects, stores, and shares personal data is a requirement under most data privacy laws. A policy must include information about the types of personal data collected, purposes of data storage, and processing, duration for storage of personal data, describe how personal data is shared and with whom, and provide information about what rights your users have concerning their data and how to exercise them. 
5. Don't forget to update your privacy policy and your cookie from time to time 
   The privacy policy and the cookie policy are a primary source of information about how your business collects and handles personal data. You must regularly review and update your policies to ensure they align with your processes. Some privacy laws, such as CCPA, require businesses to update their policy at least once every 12 months. 
6. Check which data privacy regulation(s) you are covered by
   Most privacy laws would apply to businesses located in the country or those collecting their citizens' data. It is essential to understand where your users are coming from. Many countries have specific requirements for how personal data should be collected and treated. Ensuring your business is well aware of those requirements to avoid penalties is critical. To explore the comprehensive range of Data Privacy Regulations supported by Clym globally, please visit our Data Privacy Regulation Overview page for more details.
7. Document where your data comes from and where it goes
   Most privacy laws are built around data collecting, storage, sharing, and disposal practices. To ensure you stay compliant, you must understand where your data comes from, how it is stored, and with whom you share it. This mapping should be documented to prove your business is compliant.
8. List your vendors, especially those with whom you share data
   First, you should inform your users about your partners and vendors in your privacy policy. What is important to remember is that some privacy laws restrict data transfers outside of the country or the region. The best way to keep track of the transfers is to establish a vendor management process, enter into the agreements, and get more details before you sign the contract with a new vendor or partner. 
9. Be ready to share this information with your users
   Privacy laws provide data owners with rights concerning their data, including a right to access it, object to how the data is shared or sold, and correct inaccurate data or even delete it. This means your business should be ready to recognize and fulfill such requests, including disclosing how you shared data, deleting it from your systems, or ensuring you stop selling the data. To avoid claims and penalties, you should establish internal processes to manage the requests from your users, employees, leads or even partners.
10. Organize employee awareness and training sessions 
    Emphasize the importance of training staff about data privacy and security. Organize workshops or seminars to educate them on the latest privacy laws and best practices.
11. Conduct a data privacy assessment 
    Your businesses should conduct regular data privacy risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities in your data handling processes. What better moment than on International Data Privacy Day? 

On International Data Privacy Day, take proactive steps to ensure your business's compliance with evolving data privacy laws. By following these best practices and considering solutions like Clym, you can protect your customers' data and stay ahead in your field. Celebrate this day not just as a reminder, but as an opportunity to reinforce your commitment to data privacy.

How can Clym help? 

We understand that this day may be less of a celebration and more of a daunting reminder of a task you’ve postponed repeatedly. But Clym is here to help you start off 2024 on the right foot.

Our revolutionary Cookie Consent Manager is a streamlined solution for global cookie consent management. You can effortlessly go through the intricacies of 40+ international data privacy laws, encompassing GDPR in Europe, LGPD in Brazil, and CCPA in California. Our platform goes beyond compliance; it intelligently adapts to regional regulations through built-in geolocation rules, ensuring seamless adherence to diverse requirements.

In the ever-evolving data privacy landscape, Clym is your ally, alleviating the challenges of staying current with regulatory changes. Our system takes the burden off your shoulders by automatically updating your cookie banner whenever there's a modification in the covered regulations. Bid farewell to the constant monitoring of legal shifts and manual updates—Clym does the heavy lifting for you.

At Clym, we believe in harmonizing digital compliance with your business needs, offering a suite of benefits, including an all-in-one platform that combines Privacy and Accessibility compliance with global regulations at an affordable price. Experience seamless integration into your website, adaptability to users' locations and applicable regulations, customizable branding, ReadyCompliance™ covering 40+ data privacy regulations, and accessibility options, which include six preconfigured accessibility profiles and 25+ display adjustments for visitors to tailor their individual experiences. Clym is not just a solution; it's a commitment to simplifying and enhancing your digital compliance journey.

You can convince yourself and see Clym in action by booking a demo or contacting us to discuss your specific needs today.