Very broadly, membership of the EU has been bad for fishermen but rather good for farmers, financial services and some manufacturers (especially motor car manufacturers and the aeronautical sector) but what impact has it had on me?
After much pondering I thought that the introduction of VAT is the answer. But I forgot the UK already had Purchase Tax which morphed into VAT. Incidentally originally VAT was levied at 10%. So I’m left with things like 100 watt lightbulbs being withdrawn and low energy vacuum cleaners and kettles – which might have happened anyway.
Now, as we are halfway out the door there is a piece of EU legislation which affects me and lots of other people. It comes into force later this month (25th May). There has been a Data Protection Act since 1995 and it seems to me it was observed more in the breach. Now there is a General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and here is what it means:
GDPR extends the scope of EU data protection law to all foreign companies processing data of EU residents. It provides for a harmonization of the data protection regulations throughout the EU, thereby making it easier for non-European companies to comply with these regulations; however, this comes at the cost of a strict data protection compliance regime with severe penalties of up to 4% of worldwide turnover or €20 million, whichever is higher. Wikipedia
In essence there is not a lot of difference from the original 1995 directive and it may stem the tsunami of spam e mails that originate outside the EU. So I am puzzled why every entity that distributes data by post or electronically is in such a tizz. I think it is because there is now a requirement to promulgate a data protection policy and face a fine if that has not been done.
In practice this means that most organisations require their members, customers or recipients of marketing to agree to receive their material (opting-in). It affects me because the Irish Peers’ Association, the PG Wodehouse Society (UK) and Fulham Opera have to comply. Other organisations have either sent me pages of GDPR policies that I am supposed to sign up for or, in the case of this restaurant, have gone for GDPR light.
A quick word on data protection
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Yesterday I wrote about the Swift Conservation organisation and they have come to my rescue with a sensible GDPR policy which complies with the new legislation without being too onerous for the organisation. Like the restaurant it offers opt-out not opt-in. You may find their wording a useful template if you need to construct a data protection policy.
Dear Swifts Friends & Colleagues,
New Data Protection Rules
The EU-wide General Data Protection Regulations take effect on 25th May to supplement the UK’s Data Protection Act. They affect the way we collect, keep and use your personal data and oblige us to inform you of our data protection policy.
Swift Conservation is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal data. When joining our mailing lists you provide us with your name and e-mail address so you can receive our news and information on various matters associated with Swifts and wildlife. Sometimes you provide us too with a telephone number and postal address.
We have written up our Data Protection Policy to tell you how we handle all this information, and it is attached for you to see and keep.
Please do let us know if at any time you no longer wish to be on our mailing lists.
I will not bore you with the Data Protection Policy attachment but it is written in plain English and is short; a swift solution to a knotty problem.