The GDPR and what it means for affiliates

 

What is the GDPR?

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the new legal framework governing the use of personal data across all EU markets. Think of it as a new set of data laws fit for the digital age.

It replaces current national data protection laws and the existing EU data protection framework. The GDPR is designed to give consumers more control of their personal information and applies identically across EU. Significantly, the GDPR introduces increased sanctions; organisations can be fined up to €20m or 4% of annual turnover (whichever is greater) if they breach the law.

 

The New Rules

We’ve selected the areas of the GDPR we believe are most relevant at the present time for the affiliate industry. However, it is important to familiarise yourself with the full details as there are many more implications that need to be understood. In addition, we have provided useful links at the end of this communication.

 

1. Personal Data

Consumers’ personal data sits at the heart of the GDPR and the classification of personal data is broadened under the GDPR. This means data the affiliate industry relies on that is not currently considered personal data may under the GDPR now be classified as such. Whilst a definitive list of personal identifiers does not exist for affiliate marketers, we can safely assume it will include information such as cookie IDs, customer numbers, IP addresses, device IDs etc. These are identifiers that many networks and platforms capture as part of their standard tracking.

Publishers using affiliate tracking will therefore have an obligation to ensure they are legally compliant with the new regulation.

 

2. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

Businesses will require a legal basis to process personal data. There are six legal bases available; the two most commonly used in the digital advertising sector are consent and legitimate interest.

Legitimate interest is distinct from consent. It is likely to be most appropriate where you use people’s data in ways they would reasonably expect and which have a minimal privacy impact, or where there is a compelling justification for the processing. Should a business choose legitimate interest they have to be confident in demonstrating this as an appropriate legal basis.

Where consent is considered necessary, consent means offering individuals real choice and control. Genuine consent should put individuals in charge, build customer trust and engagement, and enhance your reputation.

“Contract” is also a legal basis which may be applicable in some cases. It refers to instances where there are specific contract agreements in place between a business and its customers (data subjects) which allow the business to collect and process personal data. Some publishers (such as cashback businesses) may well have such agreements in place with their users.

Given the diverse nature of the affiliate channel and the variety of digital channels affiliates use to generate sales, it is difficult for networks to offer recommendations. Where prescriptive requirements are necessary, individual networks will state this in due course.

 

3. The ePrivacy Directive 

The ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law) is largely associated with the banners and pop-ups seen when viewing websites that inform consumers about the use of cookies to track online activity. (The Directive also applies to email, SMS and call marketing consent, which are applicable to some businesses running affiliate campaigns).

The GDPR does not supersede the ePrivacy Directive, rather it runs concurrently. This Directive is currently under review to ensure it aligns with the GDPR, once finalised. A focus of the revision is to improve transparency to consumers and introduce stricter opt-ins for cookies (and similar tracking technologies).  Under the existing ePrivacy Directive, consent is necessary for “cookies and similar technologies”. Thus, regardless of which legal basis is used for processing personal data under GDPR rules, the ePrivacy Directive remains in place meaning that unambiguous consent is required for the use of many cookies because the GDPR only considers consent sufficient if it is “unambiguous”. This means that publishers should be reviewing their consent mechanisms along with ICO guidance and making changes accordingly.

 

4. An Industry Consent Solution

Given the potentially significant impact on all forms of online advertising the industry has collaborated to create general standards and approaches. In November 2017 IAB Europe announced a technical standard for online consent and industry stakeholders are building a consent tool which is intended to ensure GDPR and ePrivacy Directive compliance in time for the May deadline.

If you choose to feature a consent solution on your website you may be able to use free versions that are available online. A number of businesses are developing consent tools; we advise you assess other possible consent solutions appropriate for your business. There are a variety of options and tools available online and we advise that solutions should be assessed to ensure they can be implemented to comply with the regulations

In addition to this the collective of businesses listed above are here to offer support.

 

5. Next Steps Checklist for Publishers

  • Publishers should assess how GDPR impacts their business and document the measures taken to comply with the rules.
  • Publishers should pay attention to ensuring transparency to consumers and decide the most appropriate legal basis for collecting and processing personal data from site visitors.
  • Publishers should assess and upgrade privacy policies and cookie notices to provide transparency and upgrade consent capture.
  • Publishers should seek their own legal advice. This communication should not be read as legal advice.
  • Publishers should refer to their individual affiliate networks and platforms for any specific guidance or requirements to comply with GDPR.

 

The GDPR signifies changes that all businesses will have to make and the impact on the industry at this stage is uncertain. However, these impacts can be mitigated with demonstrable understanding, effort and measures to comply with the rules. Whilst the deadline is 25th May 2018 it marks the start of this new age of data privacy.

It is important that you understand your obligations as a business for the GDPR and make any necessary amendments to be compliant.  Please do review the links below for more information and consider following our advice above.

 

Useful links:

Tradedoubler compliance with GDPR

IAB Europe documentation:

ePrivacy Directive IAB factsheet

IAB GDPR Hub

IAB consent mechanism

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32016R0679

 

UK regulations and background:

ICO Guide to the GDPR

ICO Guidance on Data Controllers and Data Processors

ICO Lawful basis for processing 

 

Dutch regulations and background:

https://autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl/nl/onderwerpen/avg-nieuwe-europese-privacywetgeving/voorbereiding-op-de-avg

https://autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl/sites/default/files/atoms/files/2017-11_stappenplan_avg_online_v2.pdf

 

French regulations and background:

CNIL (Commission National de L’Informatique et des Libertés)

www.cnil.fr/fr/rgpd-comment-la-cnil-vous-accompagne-dans-cette-periode-transitoire

www.cnil.fr/fr/textes-officiels-europeens-protection-donnees

www.cnil.fr/fr/comprendre-le-reglement-europeen

IAB France (Interactive Advertising Bureau)

https://www.iabfrance.com/reglementations/derniere-ligne-droite-avant-lentree-en-vigueur-du-reglement-general-sur-la

 

Italian regulations and background:

http://www.garanteprivacy.it/guida-all-applicazione-del-regolamento-europeo-in-materia-di-protezione-dei-dati-personali

https://www.itgovernance.eu/resources/green-papers/guida-eu-rgpd-alla-conformita?gclid=CjwKCAjwypjVBRANEiwAJAxlIsk3YLp9R2Z9qamhtIxJD4Gj_H1xopW3jwwhLZU4k0bhlQNLQ5vlchoC-zgQAvD_BwE

 

Spanish regulations and background:

AEPD guía al Nuevo Reglamento de Protección de Datos

AEPD guía para el cumplimiento del deber de informar

 

Polish regulations and background:

www.giodo.gov.pl

 

German regulations and background:

https://www.bfdi.bund.de/SharedDocs/Publikationen/Infobroschueren/INFO6.html

 

Swedish regulations and background:

Introduction to data protection regulation /Introduktion till dataskyddsförordningen

Q&A about data protection reform/Frågor och svar om EUs dataskyddsreform

Simple grounds for data protection/Enkla grunder i dataskydd

Regulation text/Förordningstext

 

Finnish regulations and background:

http://www.tietosuoja.fi/fi/index/euntietosuojauudistus.html#tietosuojadirektiivi

 

This communication has been developed in the course of a GDPR industry meeting in the UK by top affiliate companies like Tradedoubler, Awin, Affilinet,  CJ Affiliate, Performance Horizon and others in order to ensure clear and industry-wide guidance for our customers.

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