Are more GDPR-like regulations on their way?

Like GDPR, it’s unclear whether the California Consumer Privacy Act would alter the way your association does business. But also like GDPR, a risk-averse association might want to deploy a universal strategy of compliance to ensure they’re always following the law.

UPDATE: The California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 has been signed into law since this blog post was published. It will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

General Data Protection Regulation Day has come and gone, as have the flurry of GDPR-compliance emails that flooded our inboxes prior to May 25, 2018.

Software companies have fielded plenty of questions on the European Union’s recently implemented privacy regulation, and for most, data privacy is an issue as serious as any.

Now, as we all try to find our way through life under the EU’s new regulation, it’s possible associations and data processors could see a proposal in California in the same vein as GDPR.

It’s called the California Consumer Privacy Act, a proposal running with the tagline, “Your life is not their business.” It’s said that the Act will give internet users in California the right to stop companies from selling or sharing their data.

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What will the regulation do?

  • Give consumers the right to ask companies what of their personal data has been collected?
  • Create the ability for individuals to demand that companies don’t sell their data.
  • The right for individuals to sue of fine companies that violate the law.

The initiative might not impact your association directly, but it would be, as NPR put it, “one of the broadest privacy laws in the U.S.” But it also has more than its fair share of opposition.

Like GDPR, it’s unclear whether this initiative could alter the way your association does business. But also like GDPR, a risk-averse association might want to deploy a universal strategy of compliance to ensure they’re always following the law.

More notable than this particular initiative by itself is the rising tide of data privacy measures. All of this fluidity in how data is processed begs for a constant to keep your association from getting bogged down in the small stuff. Associations and member-based organizations are busy enough — you don’t need additional obstacles to overcome.

How can you protect your association from the changing privacy landscape?

Initiatives like the California Consumer Privacy Act highlight the importance of working with a long-established partner in the Association Management Software (AMS) space. As more and more privacy initiatives rise out of the woodwork, it’ll become more important to utilize your AMS partner as a resource.

Knowing how to prepare for what’s next is often as important for an AMS vendor as what they have to offer today. Keep that in mind as you move forward in your AMS selection journey.

Want to learn more about Alliance by Protech? Watch this video about our AMS — powered by Microsoft Dynamics 365. Or, if you’re already a Protech client, reach out to your Relationship Manager for our eBook on GDPR.