General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): Important information for ALCS members on this new legislation
In May, new European legislation regarding data protection, entitled the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), will come into force in the UK. A Data Protection Bill incorporating these new GDPR rules is currently going through Parliament.
WHAT IS IT AND WHY DO WE NEED IT?
In response to an ever-increasing volume of digital transactions which rely on the storage and exchange of personal data, the GDPR is introducing rules that are designed to protect individuals when their data is being processed by third parties (including membership organisations such as ALCS).
The new rules are designed to provide greater transparency and fairness by enabling people to know what information is being held, how it is being used and why. The rules also give individuals greater control over their data, enabling them to request that it be amended, limited or removed altogether if they so wish.
In an age where cybercrime is a growing threat, the GDPR also sets out standards and processes to ensure the security of personal data held by organisations.
To ensure that organisations take their responsibilities seriously, the GDPR allows for significant fines for those failing to adhere to its terms.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR ALCS MEMBERS
While these new rules will not change the core services that ALCS provides to its members, we would like you to understand how we use your personal data and what your rights are in relation to it.
In the coming months, we will be communicating our new, updated data policy to all members, setting out the key information relating to GDPR and how this relates to our working practices.
You will be asked to confirm that you’ve seen the policy when you login to the members’ area, and we’ll also be sending out details of the policy in future editions of ALCS News.
If you have any questions, please do contact us.
