GDPR Consent: Requirements, Importance & Ways To Obtain

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) lays down the rules & laws for the protection of data in the European Union region. One of the key requirements for complying with GDPR is obtaining consent from the concerned authorities. You must be wondering what this consent is & what it includes. If Yes, then this blog is for you. In this blog, we will explore the key requirements for GDPR consent, provide tips for obtaining consent, & explain why GDPR consent is so important.

Contents

1 What Is Consent In GDPR?
2 Requirements For GDPR Consent
3 6 Ways To Easily Obtain Data Consent In GDPR
4 Why Is GDPR Consent Important?
5 Conclusion

What Is Consent In GDPR?

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), consent refers to any freely given, specific, informed, & unambiguous indication of an individual’s wishes by which they, through a statement or a clear affirmative action, signify agreement to the processing of their data. GDPR consent must be demonstrable & individuals have the right to withdraw their consent at any time. Consent is one of the lawful bases for processing personal data under the GDPR & obtaining valid & meaningful consent is a critical requirement for GDPR compliance.

Requirements For GDPR Consent

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), consent to the processing of personal data must meet certain requirements to be valid. Here are the key requirements for GDPR consent:

Freely given: Consent must be given freely, without any coercion or undue influence. This means that individuals must be able to make a real choice about whether or not to give consent.
Specific: Consent must be specific & relate to a clearly defined processing activity. Organizations cannot obtain blanket consent for all data processing activities.
Informed: Individuals must be fully informed about the processing of their data before they give consent. This means that organizations must provide clear & transparent information about the purposes of the processing, the categories of personal data being processed, the recipients of the data, & any other relevant information.
Unambiguous: Consent must be given through a clear & affirmative act, such as checking a box or clicking a button. Organizations cannot use pre-ticked boxes or assume that silence or inactivity indicates consent.
Demonstrable: Organizations must be able to demonstrate that valid consent has been obtained. This means that they must keep records of the consent given, including the date, time, & method of consent.
Withdrawable: Individuals must have the right to withdraw their consent at any time. Organizations must provide easy-to-use opt-out mechanisms that allow individuals to withdraw their consent & stop the processing of their data.
Age-appropriate: If the processing of personal data relates to children, consent must be obtained from the child’s parent or legal guardian. The age at which children can give their consent varies across EU Member States but is generally between 13 & 16 years of age.

6 Ways To Easily Obtain Data Consent In GDPR

Here are some easy ways to obtain data consent in GDPR:

1. Be transparent

1. Be transparent Transparency is a fundamental principle of the GDPR. Individuals have the right to know about their data. They must be aware of why it is being collected, how it will be used, & who it will be shared with. You should provide a clear & concise privacy notice that outlines all of this information in a way that is easy to understand.

2. Use clear & concise language

The consent request should be easy to read & understand, avoiding complex legal terms or jargon. Use simple and straightforward language. Moreover, avoid using negative language that could be interpreted as coercive or manipulative.

3. Make it easy to withdraw consent

The GDPR requires that individuals must be able to withdraw their consent at any time. Provide an easy way for individuals to do so. Such as a clear link or button to opt out of communications. You should also provide clear instructions on how to withdraw consent in your privacy notice.

4. Provide options

4. Provide options Individuals should be given clear options to opt in or opt out of the processing of their data. Offer different levels of consent, such as the ability to select which types of communications they wish to receive. Make it clear what happens if the concerned authority does not give consent. Furthermore, ensure that it is possible to give partial consent if the data subject wishes to do so.

5. Use a clear & affirmative action

Consent must be obtained through clear & affirmative action by the data subject. Such as ticking a box or clicking a button. Pre-ticked boxes are not allowed under the GDPR, as they do not constitute a clear affirmative action. You should also ensure that the consent mechanism is user-friendly & accessible to all individuals.

6. Keep records

To demonstrate compliance with the GDPR, you should keep clear & comprehensive records of the consent obtained from data subjects. This includes the date, time, & method of consent, as well as the information for consent. You should also record any subsequent withdrawals of consent, as well as any changes to the processing of personal data. Keeping accurate records is an important part of demonstrating accountability & transparency under the GDPR.

Why Is GDPR Consent Important?

Why Is GDPR Consent Important? Consent is one of the key requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Here are some reasons why GDPR consent is important:

Protection of individual rights: The GDPR aims to protect the rights and freedoms of individuals regarding the processing of their data. Obtaining valid & meaningful consent from individuals is one of how organizations can ensure that they are respecting these rights & protecting individuals’ privacy.
Legal compliance: GDPR consent is a legal requirement. Organizations that fail to obtain valid & meaningful consent from individuals can face significant legal & financial penalties. This may include fines of up to 4% of annual global turnover or €20 million, whichever is greater.
Transparency & accountability: Obtaining valid and meaningful consent is an important part of demonstrating transparency and accountability under the GDPR. As a result, organizations are more likely to build trust with their customers & stakeholders.
Marketing & customer engagement: Obtaining valid and meaningful consent is essential for organizations that use personal data for marketing & customer engagement purposes. By obtaining consent, organizations can ensure that they are targeting individuals who are interested in their products or services, and they can avoid spamming or annoying individuals who are not interested.

Conclusion

In conclusion, GDPR consent is a crucial requirement for any organization that processes the personal data of individuals within the European Union. Obtaining valid & meaningful consent is essential for protecting individuals’ privacy & complying with legal requirements. To ensure compliance with GDPR consent requirements, organizations should provide clear and transparent information, obtain specific and unambiguous consent, and make it easy for individuals to withdraw their consent. If you need help with GDPR compliance or obtaining consent, seek the advice of legal and data protection professionals.

If you are looking to implement any of the Infosec compliance frameworks such as SOC 2 compliance, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and GDPR compliance, Impanix can help. Book a Free consultation call with our experts or email us at [email protected] for inquiries.