GDPR
General Data Protection Regulation.
That’s what everyone is freaking out about right now because the enforcement date is May 25th.
If you run a business, you’ve got 16 days to make sure you’re following all the rules or risk being fined.
I run a Facebook group filled with badass girl bosses and there have been numerous reactions: overwhelm, research, panic, mayhem, frustration, denial, and calm.
I would’ve joined the panicked group, but I’m married to a super smart lawyer. (He’s won multiple awards including being in the top ten lawyers of Virginia and the top 100 lawyers of the United States. Hell yes, I’m proud.)
I did what I always do when something legal pops up in my business. I asked my husband to take care of it.
Before we get into this, I have to make something very clear. This is NOT legal advice. Nothing in this blog post is legal advice. You should always check things with your own lawyer. Okay…now we can move on…
My lawyer husband rewrote my privacy policy so that it ticked all the GDPR boxes. We added it to my Terms and Conditions (you can find it near the bottom if you’re curious).
He also wrote a separate cookie policy, because it’s required by the GDPR to have a very clear cookie policy. We’re going to be adding this to a separate page on my website. And, you’ll soon see a pop up at the top of my site that says, “We use cookies on this site. Please read our cookie policy here.” You’ll have to “X” out of it.
It’s clear that you need something like this on your site by May 25th that states that you use cookies and links to your cookie policy. It also needs to be a soft opt-in that readers have to close if they no longer want to see it.
I feel blessed that I’m married to a lawyer that takes care of all my legal needs. I know that some of you are super stressed about getting your privacy and cookie policies just right.
That’s why I’m providing you with my swipe copy for you to steal.
All you need to do is read through it VERY CAREFULLY so that you change anything (like the business name) that doesn’t apply to your business.
In the cookie policy, you’ll need to rewrite the Third Party Cookies section based on what you use. Change it to match the plug-ins and things that you use that collect data or information about your users. Use the same format…just change the information so that it fits your third parties.
This swipe copy will at the very least give you a great place to start.
I hope this helps get rid of some of your stress!
Thank you very much, April. I have been trying to ignore GDPR. I was hoping it would go away lol (not really funny) These files will come in so handy. Thank you again for being the kind and generous spirit you are!
Many, many, thanks! You are very kind and generous ❤️
I feel glad that i am here as i totally new in online biz . Thank you for sharing .
Thank YOU for sharing this April! So far my GDPR coping system has been: Overwhelm, Frustration, Denial, Rinse & Repeat. This will make tackling the process SO much easier!! xoxo – n
I’m super thankful for the cookie policy! I already purchased the Terms & Conditions/Privacy Policy to be in compliance but the cookie policy was majorly lacking on my site. Now I have the cookie policy up and going. I just need to continue editing the template for the Terms & Conditions/Privacy Policy and make a few other changes on my forms and with my email service provider.
I’m getting there!
Thanks again. You and your hubby are both da bomb. (Yes. Da bomb.)
Hi Amanda! Where did you get the Privacy Police? I need a template : )
I am not sure about this GDPR thing. I live outside of US. Does it apply to me?
It applies if you have customers from the EU or market to customers in the EU
Thanks.
Omg THANK YOU
You’re awesome April! Thank you and the hubby 🙂 I feel better now!
April! A huge “thank you” to you and your husband! This is so generous and helpful. This whole thing has been a worrisome plight and you’ve helped make it so much easier and I appreciate his and your efforts. Thank you again!
Thank you so much for this awesome resource! I truly appreciate it!!!!!
Wow! Thank you! I’ll check it out!
Thank you so much! I appreciate it greatly!
Thank you, April!!
Thank you so much, April. Trying to focus on the positive aspect to all of this, and not be too stressed. This is a huge step towards getting ready. Much appreciated!
thank you so much for sharing this, April! <3
April thanks so much for your generosity and providing the calmness in the storm!!!
You’re the best, April1 Thanks so much!!
THANK YOU! This has been crazy helpful.
I could just kiss you! Thank you, April. You made my day. Give that hubby of yours a big old hug from me!!
Thank you so so so much for this, you and your husband are life savers. i have been losing my mind on this whole gdpr thing for weeks!
A BIG thanks to you & the Mr. K! I had both Terms of Service + a Privacy Policy, but I’m sure they need updating to be in compliance with this GDPR stuff. This will surely give me a much-needed boost & the Cookie Policy is GOLD! 🙂
THANK YOUUUU!
Thank you very much for sharing this information and for letting us use your policies to create our own!
I had to smile when I saw this post because my girlfriend always asks me for my legal opinion whenever anything about the law comes up. Thank you for sharing this information with other people so that transparency about data privacy is improved!
Thank you so much for offering this! However, when I signed up for your email list I was just directed to your ontraport thank you page and have not received or been directed to the swipe file? Can you please help me?
Thanks so much for providing this, however, it doesn’t seem to be working for me 🙁 When I click on the image it opens in a new tab & says the server cannot be found.
Trying to download it desperately, but doesn’t work for me either. Hopefully it can be fixed soon. just few days left…
Hi April, I want to thank you, and your husband, for sharing this information and the two documents to help in complying with the “GDPR” requirements. I had begun trying to write my own, when someone in my Facebook group shared your website. It’s been a lifesaver for me…
I also look forward to reading your newsletter and blog in the future. And “Go Hokies”! 🙂
Just tried to download the swipe copy but it doesn’t work. I signed up for your newsletter but never received the swipe copy. HELP!
Wow. This sounds like it would really help me figure this out. I tried subscribing twice but still do not receive a confirmation email or the swipe file. Help!!!
Thank you April!!
Thank you SO SO much, April!
I struggled with putting together my GDPR. I had no idea what or how to write. I am as far from the world of law as possible. And for someone, who is only starting, hiring a lawyer to write privacy policy is an overwhelming expense.
Have a wonderful day!