Today, we're going to talk about something that's been getting a lot of attention lately - privacy. With companies collecting and using more data than ever before, the risks associated with privacy breaches are becoming greater.
But what should you do as a GC or Head of Legal if you don't have a privacy attorney to guide you? Well, having a baseline level of knowledge about privacy and data protection is essential - even if you don't have a privacy lawyer on staff. To be effective in your role, you need to understand your business and what it does with data. Even if you think your company doesn't have anything to worry about, it's important to make sure you know exactly what you're dealing with.
Some questions for you to start thinking about:
- What does your company want to do with data?
- How do they collect it?
- How do they monetize it?
Think about an analytical framework for privacy. Privacy laws are largely mechanistic, meaning they allow you to use data provided you meet certain criteria. If you approach privacy law with this framework, you'll be much more successful in drafting a privacy strategy that meets your business needs. For smaller legal teams, having a baseline level of knowledge about privacy is even more important. If anything, it's even more critical that they understand the risks associated with privacy breaches and how to prevent them.
One of the biggest challenges that we're facing today is data mapping and governance. With regulators across the globe pushing for more transparency and visibility into how data is used, it's only going to get harder from here. It's tough to put together a dynamic data map that isn't obsolete the moment you publish it. But despite the challenges, it's something that needs to be prioritized if you want to ensure compliance with privacy regulations like the CCPA and GDPR.
Of course, we understand that not every company has a huge legal team or unlimited resources to throw at this issue. So, what should you prioritize if you're starting a new privacy program? Our advice: data mapping and governance. It may not be the easiest task, but it's one of the most important when it comes to protecting user data.
And as for cost-effective ways to do data mapping, we don't have a one-size-fits-all answer. It can take a lot of time, and there are some great tools out there that can help. But ultimately, it's going to depend on your specific company and needs. Talking always helps : sit down with your business units and take lots of notes - it’ll help you understand more about what is being collected and how it is being used.
And Lawtrades?
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