{"id":1760,"date":"2022-01-16T21:55:03","date_gmt":"2022-01-16T21:55:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uk.legalvision.com.au\/?p=1760"},"modified":"2026-03-06T14:29:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T14:29:20","slug":"privacy-obligations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/data-privacy-it\/privacy-obligations\/","title":{"rendered":"Privacy Laws in the UK: What are Your Obligations as a Business?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)<\/a> imposed new data privacy obligations on businesses in England and Wales. These included the obligation for businesses to store and safeguard their customers\u2019 personal information. Your business can face big fines if you do not comply with the new legislation. For that reason, it is wise to know and understand your businesses data privacy obligations. This article will detail the different obligations that the GDPR places on businesses to protect their customers\u2019 personal data.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is GDPR Compliance? <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The GDPR applies to any person residing in the European Union. The regulations ensure that businesses safely collect, process and store personal information in their daily functions. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many businesses now need to collect sensitive data from their customers to operate. For example, online retailers collect consumer information to facilitate deliveries of goods, run marketing campaigns and operate general business practices. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Storing and using that data is known as data processing. Importantly, your business\u2019 obligations may vary depending on how your business uses its customers\u2019 information. So, to understand your obligations under GDPR<\/a>, you must establish whether you are a data controller or a data processor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are You a Data Processor or Data Controller? <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What is a Data Controller?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In short, data controllers are the primary decision-makers when managing and storing personal data. They decide what information is collected and the purposes for collecting that information. Data controllers typically have a relationship or contract with the person whose data is being collected, also known as the \u2018data subject\u2019, and will appoint a processor to collect their data on their behalf.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Controllers take on more GDPR responsibilities than processors. This is because controllers seek to collect data for their business functions. They are also responsible for the compliance of their data processors. Data controllers must register with the Information Commissioner\u2019s Office (ICO) and pay a data protection fee. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Data Processor? <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Data processors collect, handle, and store their customers\u2019 personal information<\/a>. Typically a processor will follow the instructions from a data controller on how and where to collect personal data from. Unlike data controllers, data processors do not decide what data should be collected and how the data is used. Furthermore, they do not decide on how long to retain the data for. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Processors do not have the same privacy obligations as controllers under GDPR as data controllers. Still, they must ensure that they correctly follow the controller\u2019s instructions, prevent breaches and maintain security, and notify controllers of potential breaches. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are several obligations your business must adhere to if you are a data controller or processor. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Continue reading this article below the form\n <\/i>\n<\/a>\n

\n
\n Need legal advice?\n
\n \n Call 0808 196 8584<\/a> for urgent assistance.\n
\n Otherwise, complete this form, and we will contact you within one business day.\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
\n