The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has been functional for the last two years. The impact is immense; while it only seems like an update of the existing Data Protection Act enacted in 1998, there is more to worry about if you are a blogger. It can cost you millions of euros. While it is an addition of the existing regulation act, GDPR has new strict regulations. However, it is easy to circumvent around the regulations and geo-blocks to freedom of your blogging career. If you are still asking how GDPR affects bloggers and how to comply with the regulations, you might be late and risking fines.
What is GDPR?
Companies no longer have the freedom to access user information without direct permission from the users. In as much as some bloggers are still finding ways to escape the regulations, it is inevitable; you have to abide by the EU regulations or pay dearly. It not only costs you money as a blogger but also reputation. Your blog is likely to be published and suspended for a given time depending on the extent of your violation. If blogging is directly linked to your income then your survival is dependent on the EU’s decision. Some bloggers are permanently blocked because of accessing private information from EU citizens.
The primary goal of GDPR is to protect and grant full control of privacy rights to EU citizens. Companies are entirely dependent on individual decisions with regards to personal data; if you choose to share your data or not it’s up to you; this is the new kind of freedom in society. Blogs and websites were used to monitoring browsing behavior and tracking individuals to private details as a basis of advertisement and convincing potential customers. The strategy is no longer functional after implementation of GDPR.
Mixed reactions
There are varying interpretations of how the GDPR regulation will affect the use of the internet in business. A section of bloggers and owners of online stores are against the policies attributing to losses and slow business. According to the critics arguments, access to private data was a milestone in online business; entrepreneurs were able to focus on specific audiences thus save on unnecessary advertisements and increase profit margins. Despite the numerous allegations on how the new regulations interfere with the effectiveness of the internet both socially and in the corporate world, the online community has embraced GDPR. There are numerous benefits with the new set of regulations. EU’s aim is to ensure lawful and ethical data management practices across the world.
While the EU has only 28 registered countries as its members, the effect of the EU extends across the world. If you are a blogger, you know it’s impossible to avoid EU; irrespective of your business filed. You never know who is accessing your site unless you have locked it to a certain region, which is bad for business. The essence of business blogs and any online appearance is extending borders, casting the net wide hence increasing the probability of turning visitors to customers. The fact is bloggers within and without EU borders must comply with GDPR. It is not only safe but also vital for business.
Some organizations have opted for geo-blocking, which is working for them and against them. Geographical blocking involves restricting access from any of the 28 EU member countries; this has both positive and negative effects. A blogger should enjoy the freedom of posting any relevant information as per business specialization; companies, which have implemented geo-blocking can implement any marketing strategies without fear of fines. However, there is a downside to this; restricting a company from 28 countries is limiting your options. The business industry is uncertain, although targeting audiences is important, it is important to remain free because you never know when and where the trend will hit next.
Who is affected?
Every blogger and anyone running an online business is limited to GDPR. Today, operations are critically monitored and evaluated; the regulations are inevitable. As long as you are providing online services, anyone accessing your site has a right to privacy. Any attempts to access personal data in a bid to identify your consumers without official permission from each individual poses a risk to the existence of your business.
Apart from bloggers, EU citizens are also affected by GDPR. Geo-blocking is a provision for bloggers and anyone in the online community to lock out EU member countries from accessing their sites. Certain websites are completely inaccessible by citizens in the 28 countries. Enacting the privacy regulation has affected business bloggers across the world because it is almost impossible to operate without most of the 28 countries; they are significant in the world’s economy.
How does geo-blocking work?
Geo-blocking is restricting user access based on location. The primary objective on the development of the internet is connecting the world; geo-blocking works against this fact. While the whole world remains connected, some websites from particular locations have limited access.
The technique is simple; any device accesses the internet with the help of an IP address. An IP reveals the location of your mobile phone or PC hence easy to distinguish users in EU and users outside EU boundaries.