What the flood in email boxes and mailboxes means for consumers
As the Saxony Consumer Center reports, everyone has known for a few days how many mailing lists they are actually listed on.
And many people's mailboxes are also full: municipal utilities, banks and insurance companies ask their customers for data protection consent or inform them about new regulations. Even at a doctor or hairdresser it can happen that you have to sign a form first.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) leaves many question marks – for customers and companies alike.
“Opinions differ about the watertight and user-friendly way,”
sums up Katja Henschler from the Saxony Consumer Center. Nevertheless, it is clear to Saxon consumer advocates: thanks to the new regulation, data protection is finally given the importance it deserves.
Users' information and information rights have been strengthened. And with the flood of information, data protection has become much more aware of users and companies.
“Today, data is the linchpin and business model. “It is all the more important that sovereignty remains with the user,”
said Henschler.
In general, companies are only allowed to store as little data as necessary. But this also works without consent. For example, an online shop needs the stored address to ship the goods.
“Necessary data is data that serves the execution of the respective contract. You should take that at face value. It is often unnecessary to provide your phone number or have it stored,”
said Henschler.
“The same applies if banks or insurance companies ask for email addresses even though you are not an online customer.”
In addition, consumers can still ask companies to find out what data they have stored. The provider must now provide written information within one month.
What is also new is the significantly higher fine limit for companies.
“This forces all data processing bodies to carefully examine the handling of user data and to question consent,”
said Henschler. If a dispute arises, the bodies must prove the existence of user consent. For many people it is safest to obtain express consent. Many detailed questions about the effects of the GDPR are still unclear and will be clarified by the courts over time.
Oh yes, Katja Henschler takes a very pragmatic view of the current flood of emails:
“Many people are surprised by the number of emails, but for email users this is a good reason to clean up their own data.”
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