Construction Law

GDPR is Here. Are You in Compliance? Part 1 featured image

GDPR is Here. Are You in Compliance? Part 1

Although the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) governs the privacy and use of personal data by businesses in European Union (EU), the United States construction industry must pay close attention to how data is handled. Our St. Petersburg construction lawyers know that the future of construction lies in data. Therefore, construction companies should understand how to manage data from a legal standpoint. Read this first section and part two to determine if you are in compliance with GDPR.

The European Union Regulation

The EU GDPR, enforced back in May 2018, is the most important change in data privacy regulation in 20 years that will fundamentally reshape the way data is handled across every sector. The EU regulation is changing the way businesses, whether business to business (B2B) or business to consumer (B2C), gather and handle personal data and will cover a wide spectrum of data usage.

Who Must Comply?

GDPR protects EU citizens; however, if your company has data footprints in the EU market, you must comply with GDPR regulation. This applies to any company that sells goods or services to EU citizens, employs EU residents, operates a website that monitors people based in the EU, or collects any data that includes information about EU citizens. Understanding GDPR is crucial as data breaches could result in both financial and legal repercussions for your company.   

What is Considered Personal Data?

Vast amounts of data are used in the construction industry. Personal data includes any information about an individual that is private, public, or professional that can lead to an individual’s identity. This may include:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Email address
  • Location data
  • Personal identification number
  • Website
  • Social media
  • Medical information
  • Cookie strings
  • IP address

If you would like to speak with a St. Petersburg construction attorney, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.