Many modern businesses are data driven, making decisions based on information collected from their customers, from the people who visit their websites, and from a range of other sources. However, the collection of such data carries with it a range of responsibilities.

As a business owner, it’s important to understand what responsibilities you have with respect to people’s data and privacy. If you don’t, you could quickly find yourself in trouble with the law. The experience of a commercial lawyer who is trained in consumer data and privacy law will be invaluable to you, and you should consider working with one to make sure that you’re not breaking any laws.

In this article we’ll have a quick look at big data – what is it, how is it used, and what are your responsibilities. We’ll also have a quick look at the ways a commercial lawyer can help you manage your data and privacy responsibilities.

What is meant by ‘data’?

In this sense, data means any information that you collect from or about people who interact with your business in some way.

You might collect this information without customers knowing – in which case you have to make sure that you’re not breaking any privacy laws. Alternatively, a lot of businesses collect data through things like customer satisfaction surveys.

Why would I collect data and what are my responsibilities?

Most businesses collect some form of data to help them make business and marketing decisions. This might be as simple as customer demographics or as complex as the way different people interacted with different ads on different digital advertising platforms.

Once you’ve collected data you need to be careful about what you do with it. It’s very important to make sure that it doesn’t get stolen or leaked to a third party, otherwise you might be violating people’s privacy – something that’s taken very seriously.

How can a commercial lawyer help me manage my consumer data?

An experienced commercial lawyer who is trained in data management and familiar with the relevant privacy laws will be invaluable to you and your business. They will be able to help you by:

• Making sure that you aren’t breaking any laws with the way your using data. They should be able to analyse your business practices to make sure that everything you’re doing is fine.
• Reviewing your privacy and data collection policies to make sure that they include everything that they need to.
• Helping you manage any data breaches that might occur. In extreme cases, a decent lawyer will be able to help you defend yourself against legal action that’s brought against you because of your data use practices.

Final Word

As you can see, data management and privacy are extremely important things to consider when you run a business. Doing the wrong thing can have severe legal consequences.

We’d recommend getting in touch with your local commercial law firm to find out how they can help you make sure that you’re doing the right thing with your consumer data.