The UK Small Business Cybersecurity Network | Helping Keep Small Business CYBERSafe! » COMPLIANCE EVENT: Is Your Marketing Breaking the Law—Without You Realising It?

COMPLIANCE EVENT: Is Your Marketing Breaking the Law—Without You Realising It?

Image Credit: rawpixel.com
Image Credit: rawpixel.com

Helping Keep Small Business CYBERSafe!
Gibraltar: Thursday 06 March 2025 at 13:00 CET

COMPLIANCE EVENT: Is Your Marketing Breaking the Law—Without You Realising It?
By: Keith BuddenEnsurety
CYBERInsights – The UK Small Business Cybersecurity Network 
Published in Collaboration with:
Ensurety
#CyberInsights #CyberSecurity #CyberAwareness #CyberSafe #SME #SmallBusiness #Compliance #GDPR #PECR #Ensurety #Event

Imagine this: your marketing campaigns are working brilliantly—until you discover that you might be unintentionally breaking the law. In today’s digital world, if your marketing touches personal data, you could be at risk without even realising it.

Let’s break down the essentials of GDPR and PECR in a way that’s simple, relatable, and straight to the point.

What is GDPR, and Why Should You Care?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a set of rules designed to protect personal data. If your business collects, stores, or uses data from individuals in the EU or UK, these rules apply to you—no matter where you’re based.

Key Points in Plain English:

Consent Must Be Clear: Ask your customers for permission in an obvious, unambiguous way. No sneaky pre-ticked boxes.
Be Transparent: Tell people exactly how you’re using their data. A clear privacy notice goes a long way.
Respect Their Rights: People can ask to see, change, or delete their information at any time—and you need to be ready to help them do that.
Have a Good Reason: Every time you collect data, ensure there’s a legitimate reason behind it, whether it’s consent, a contractual need, or another legal basis.

Understanding PECR
While GDPR covers the broader spectrum of data protection, the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) focus on the rules for electronic marketing. Whether you’re sending emails, SMS messages, or using cookies on your website, PECR tells you exactly what you can—and can’t—do.

PECR Made Simple:

Email & SMS Marketing: Always get clear permission before sending any direct marketing messages.
Cookies & Tracking: Let users know about your cookies and get their consent before tracking their online behavior for marketing.
Respect Contact Preferences: If you’re reaching out to individuals, ensure you have their go-ahead.

Practical Small Business Cybersecurity
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Common Mistakes That Could Land You in Trouble
It’s easy to slip up. Here are some pitfalls many businesses face:

Assumed Consent: Don’t assume that silence or pre-ticked boxes count as permission.

Poor Record-Keeping: If you can’t prove that someone agreed to receive your marketing, you’re in trouble.

Ignoring Cookie Policies: Using cookies without asking can lead to a breach of trust and legal issues.

Outdated Contact Lists: Using old or purchased email lists without fresh, explicit consent can put you at risk.

These aren’t just legal missteps—they can hurt your reputation and the trust your customers have in you.

Why Compliance Matters
Beyond the potential legal headaches, compliance builds trust. When you respect your customers & privacy and handle their data responsibly, you’re not only avoiding fines and investigations—you’re also strengthening your brand’s reputation and customer relationships.

Staying Compliant Without Sacrificing Your Marketing Edge
Good news: being compliant doesn’t mean your marketing has to lose its spark. Here’s how you can keep both the creativity and the law on your side:

Ask for Permission Clearly: Make it easy for customers to understand and grant consent.

Keep Your Data Practices Transparent: Regularly update your privacy policies and cookie notices to reflect current practices.

Train Your Team: Ensure everyone involved in your marketing understands these regulations—knowledge is your best defence.

Stay Up-to-Date: Regulations evolve, so make sure you’re regularly reviewing your processes to remain compliant.

Get More Bang for Your Buck: Knowing that those people receiving your marketing positively want to receive it can (and should) noticeably improve your conversion rates.

By integrating these practices, you not only safeguard your business but also enhance the trust and loyalty of your audience.

Want to Learn More? Join Our Live Event
If you’re ready to dive deeper and ensure your marketing is both powerful and compliant, join us for a live, in-depth session where we’ll explain everything you need to know about GDPR and PECR.

Date: 12th March 2025,  Time: 9 AM (UK Time)

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GDPR Training & Audits – Your business’s reputation is everything. If you’re not GDPR compliant, there is much more at stake for your company than a fine. Without your reputation and proof that you can offer your clients/customers complete privacy and protection, you could be left out in the cold. Our online course offers you a human approach to training while being informative and easy to follow. We also offer in-house training with Keith, who has been involved in the development of the General Data Protection Regulation with both the UK Information Commissioner’s Office and the Internet Advertising Bureau. As well as training, we are able to run full GDPR audits on your businesses terms and conditions and privacy policies.

Image Credit: IfOnlyCommunications | Cybersecurity Journalist, Cyber Insights, SME Cybersecurity News,
Image Credit: IfOnlyCommunications
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CYBER Insights – Helping Keep Small Business CYBERSafe! 

Launched in 2020 by Cybersecurity Journalist Iain Fraser and his team at IfOnly… CYBERInsights was developed to be the go-to platform providing definitive, reliable & actionable Cybersecurity News, Intel,  Awareness & Training specifically written and curated for Small Business & Enterprise Owners, Partners and Directors throughout the UK. #CyberInsights #CyberSecurity #CyberAttack #CyberAwareness  #Compliance #DDoS #Fraud #Ransomware #ScamAlert #SME #SmallBusiness #SmallBusinessOwner #ThreatIntel