Data Privacy and Protection Laws

I. Introduction

In today's digital world, data privacy has become paramount. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a regulation enacted by the European Union (EU) to safeguard the personal data and privacy of EU citizens. As a member country of the EU, Romania falls under the jurisdiction of the GDPR, making this regulation highly relevant to Romanian businesses of all types and sizes.

For tech/digital entrepreneurs in Romania, it's vital to grasp and abide by the regulations set forth by the GDPR. Non-compliance can result in steep financial fines, legal repercussions, and harm to your business's reputation. This guide offers an overview of the GDPR, its impact on your enterprise, and tangible steps toward compliance.

At the same time, the protections offered by the GDPR can provide peace of mind for entrepreneurs in sensitive fields, or those who are politically exposed or public figures, and face significant scrutiny, risk of public data disclosure, and need a safe space to start a business in.

II. The Fundamentals of GDPR

At its core, the GDPR is designed around seven fundamental principles to ensure data protection and privacy. These principles are:

1. Lawful, Fair, and Transparent Processing: Personal data should be processed lawfully, fairly, and in a transparent manner.
2. Purpose Limitation: Personal data should be collected for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes.
3. Data Minimization: Only necessary data that is adequate and relevant should be processed.
4. Accuracy: Personal data should be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date.
5. Storage Limitation: Personal data should be kept for no longer than is necessary.
6. Integrity and Confidentiality (Security): Personal data should be processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security.
7. Accountability: The data controller is responsible for, and must be able to demonstrate, compliance with the other six principles.

In Romania, the enforcement of GDPR is carried out by the National Supervisory Authority For Personal Data ProcessingThey guide businesses in implementing GDPR, and they also investigate potential violations and enforce penalties when necessary.

III. Impactul GDPR asupra companiilor românești

Adopted and enforced by all EU member states, the GDPR applies directly to Romania, significantly impacting how businesses handle personal data. From large corporations to small startups, if your business collects, processes, or stores the personal data of EU citizens, the GDPR applies, regardless of your business's location.

For businesses in Romania, this means aligning their data handling practices with the seven principles outlined by the GDPR. The GDPR also applies to organizations outside of Romania if they offer goods, services, or monitor the behavior of individuals in the EU. The digital nature of many businesses today necessitates a keen awareness of the GDPR's application scope, which extends beyond the EU's geographical boundaries and affects any business dealing with EU citizens' data.

Non-compliance can result in stringent penalties, up to €20 million or 4% of a company's global annual turnover from the previous financial year, whichever is higher. Indeed, since the GDPR came into force in May 2018, non-compliant businesses in Romania have faced significant fines for data breaches. For instance, in 2022, a Romanian banking institution was fined €100,000 for failing to implement sufficient measures to secure personal data.

IV. A Quick Guide to GDPR Compliance

Navigating GDPR compliance may seem complex, but a systematic approach can help simplify the process. Here are key steps Romanian businesses can take to ensure compliance:

1. Data Audit:

Start by conducting a thorough audit of the data your business collects, processes, and stores. Understand what data you have, where it comes from, who you share it with, and how you process and store it. For digital businesses, this might be as simple as checking the cookies you collect and the data your database stores about end users.

2. Privacy Policies and Data Protection Officer (DPO):

Having clear and accessible privacy policies is a must under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These policies should explain how you collect, use, and store personal data. It's also important to regularly review and update these policies to reflect any changes in your data handling practices.

If your organization conducts large-scale processing of certain types of data, appointing a DPO is mandatory under GDPR. The DPO oversees data protection strategy and implementation to ensure compliance. The DPO must not have any conflict of interest, and often, this role is better externalized to third parties to ensure compliance and reduce the risk of hefty fines.

3. Upholding Data Subject Rights:

GDPR provides individuals with certain rights concerning their personal data, including the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, and object to processing, as well as rights related to automated decision-making. Businesses must have procedures in place to respond to data subject rights requests within the timeframes stipulated by GDPR.

4. Implementing 'Privacy by Design and Default':

GDPR introduces the concept of 'Privacy by Design and Default', meaning data protection should be included from the onset of designing systems, rather than as an addition. This principle extends to 'data minimization', where you only process the data you need, store it only for as long as necessary, and restrict access to those who need it.

5. Data Breach Response Plan:

Prepare for data breaches by having a robust response plan in place. GDPR requires businesses to report certain types of data breaches to the relevant supervisory authority within 72 hours of becoming aware of it, and in some cases, to the individuals affected.

Following these steps can put your business on the right path toward GDPR compliance. Remember, GDPR compliance isn't a one-time event but a continuous process requiring regular review and updates as your business and legal obligations evolve.

While this may sound difficult, in practice, it's not too challenging to achieve. For digital businesses, this entails securing your infrastructure and preventing malicious actors from accessing your databases, something that you probably already do.

V. Complying with GDPR on a Budget

GDPR doesn't need to be a daunting and expensive process, so here's our tips to reduce the costs and still keep compliant!

1. Leverage GDPR Compliance Toolkits:

There are numerous online platforms that offer comprehensive and free GDPR toolkits, which include checklists, templates, and step-by-step guides to aid you in becoming GDPR compliant. Search for cookie auditing software, as well as free youtube tutorials, of which there are plenty :P

2. Use Online GDPR Policy Generators:

Websites such as TermsFeed and and PrivacyPolicies.com provide GDPR-compliant Privacy Policy generators. They guide you through a series of questions about your business and create a custom privacy policy based on your responses. Remember, this should not replace professional legal advice, but it's a good starting point.

3. Utilize Free GDPR Compliance Software:

Software solutions such as OneTrust offer free community editions of their GDPR tools, helping businesses to automate and manage tasks like data mapping and handling data subject access requests.

4. Educate Through Free Webinars and Online Courses:

Online learning platforms like Coursera offer free courses on GDPR, such as "Understanding GDPR" by the University of Groningen. You can also find numerous free webinars on GDPR compliance on platforms like BrightTALK.

5. DIY Data Protection Officer (DPO):

Consider assigning a current employee to take on the DPO role. Websites like the EU's official GDPR website provide a wealth of free information to help your DPO understand their responsibilities. For a more structured learning experience, paid courses are available on platforms like Udemy.

VI. Wrapping Up and Moving Forward with Incorpo.ro

Steering your way through GDPR compliance need not be an arduous journey. While the path may appear winding at first, with the right tools and a positive attitude, you can navigate this challenge successfully!

Remember, GDPR compliance is not just a legal requirement—it’s a golden opportunity to build trust with your customers by showing your commitment to protecting their data.

We've explored numerous resources that can make the compliance process more manageable and budget-friendly: from comprehensive toolkits to online GDPR policy generators, free software tools, and educational webinars and courses. Each one of these resources, when used wisely, can aid in your GDPR compliance journey, helping you tick off tasks on your to-do list.

As an entrepreneur, you're no stranger to learning new things, and with GDPR, it's no different. Whether it's stepping into the shoes of a DPO or adopting the mindset of 'Privacy by Design,' each step you take towards GDPR compliance is a step towards a stronger, more trusted, and respected business.

You're not alone on this journey; at Incorpo.ro, we're here to guide you every step of the way. With our team of expert consultants, seasoned lawyers, and technical experts, we can help you navigate the complex world of GDPR with ease. We're ready to answer your questions, clarify any confusing GDPR rules, and ensure your business is well-prepared for the future.

As the saying goes, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." So, why not take that first step and reach out to us at Incorpo.ro? With our expert guidance and your entrepreneurial drive, achieving GDPR compliance will be a breeze!

Let's navigate this journey together, because at the end of the day, your business's success is our joy. Reach out to Incorpo.ro today, and let's make GDPR compliance not just an obligation, but a shared achievement!

And remember, stay data-safe and continue to innovate!