EIGHT in 10 automotive businesses are still baffled by GDPR – with just two days to go before the major change in handling data is brought in.
The Motor Ombudsman said 80 per cent of 170 automotive businesses that it quizzed didn’t have a good understanding of the General Data Protection Regulation, which comes into effect on May 25.
It also discovered a similar number unprepared for the replacement of the EU’s Data Protection Directive 1995 and the UK’s Data Protection Act 1998.
Firms deemed to have misused customer data after GDPR is introduced – including contacting them without their permission – face heavy fines.
The automotive dispute resolution provider has introduced a Chartered Trading Standards Institute-approved online training course tailored specifically to motor industry organisations and designed to help them better understand their responsibilities and to ensure full compliance.
Taking around 45 minutes to complete, among the subjects covered are:
An overview to GDPR
A glossary and introduction to key terminology and definitions
Case studies to illustrate the six key principles of GDPR and how they apply to a business setting
Roles and responsibilities when gathering, managing and retaining data
The importance of data protection including remote working
Identifying data hazards and effective methods to avoid security breaches
Sureyya Cansoy, head of business services and engagement at The Motor Ombudsman, said: ‘GDPR is a significant piece of legislation affecting the working methods and obligations of businesses when it comes to the handling of data. We therefore wanted to create an easy-to-navigate and interactive training module that is relevant to organisations operating within an automotive environment.
‘This will allow users to gain a solid grasp of what constitutes best practice. We expect the course to be in demand following the high number of inquiries on GDPR that we have seen in recent weeks.’
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