HOW TO PROTECT CUSTOMER DATA PRIVACY IN DIGITAL MARKETING

Published On - January 23, 2023

axel@newsite

No one can object to the fact that the world we live in is growing increasingly digital every day. In this digital world, the best way to market your business is through digital marketing. To run an effective digital marketing strategy for your business, you will need customer data to personalize the audience experience. 

Digital marketing experts will encounter the plight of handling the task of providing customized consumer experiences that need customer data and restricting the collection of such data to assure customer data privacy. In internet marketing, digital marketing experts are caught between ensuring creative campaigns and maintaining strict control over gathering and storing consumer data. This means that digital marketing experts should be aware of customer data privacy, data protection, security, online security, etc., at a profound level. Let’s dive deep into such crucial waves.

CUSTOMER DATA PRIVACY AND WHY IT IS CRUCIAL TO PROTECT IT

In data security, the branch data privacy is concerned itself with the ethical handling of consumer data which does extend to the areas of; 

-an ethical and legal collection of data 

-how data is being collected and shared with third parties 

-regulations and restrictions about dealing with data and information 

As we all know, the internet is powerful enough to exchange information in a matter of seconds. But that still leaves behind the security and safety of that shared information. Over the past decade, many data breach issues have been reported. It has resulted in customers being more reluctant and cautious about sharing data. They are hence most likely to withhold information that companies will seek for personalizing browsing experience. Every business should construct its customer’s trust to survive. Once that trust is lost, it is hard to bag it back. That leaves us to conclude that no matter how small or big your business is, you can never lose customers’ trust.

HOW TO PROTECT CUSTOMER DATA PRIVACY?

Any effective digital marketing strategy should include data protection and security to ensure customer data privacy. There are some crucial elements that digital marketing experts and internet marketers should consider before stepping into internet marketing. 

  • Be Aware Of Governing Laws And Regulations:

When talking about digital security, online security, and customer data privacy regulations, GDPR( General Data Protection Regulation) is essential. Although it was approved by European Union( EU) in April 2016, it went into effect on May 25, 2018. As per GDPR, companies are not allowed to process anyone’s personally identifiable information(PII) unless they meet one of the following conditions at the least. 

-Express consent of the data subject. 

-Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract with the data subject or to take steps to enter a contract. 

-Processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation. 

-Processing is necessary to protect the vital interests of a data subject or another person. 

-Processing is necessary for performing a task in the public interest or the exercise of official authority vested in the controller. 

-Processing is necessary for the purposes of legitimate interests pursued by the controller or a third party, except where the data subject’s interests, rights, or freedoms override such interests. 

  • Always Leave The Data Collection Optional:

You should always ensure that the data collection forms you set up for your customers stay completely optional. To generate leads, forms and data collection are essential. Yet that doesn’t allow you to insist your customers share their information. Customers should always have a choice over sharing data according to their will. Demand only needed information and avoid unnecessary personal details from forms. 

  • Be Transparent:

Transparency is the key factor in winning one’s trust, no matter what the context is. You should communicate the purpose of your collection of customer data with them frankly, whatever it is. If your customer does feel like being in the dark about anything, anything at all, they will no longer trust you. Hence it is far better to be transparent than be in the shadow of suspicion. You can provide hyperlinks like ‘click here to know more about our privacy policy.’ 

  • Always Be Cautious About Data Hacks:

To prevent data hacks, you can implement simple reinforcements, such as reaching out to web services that guarantee compliance with data backups and fraud protection. Be alarmed of updating your website regularly.  You can leave that part to a leading website development company like ours that can hit your security goals. 

  • Advocate For Customer Data Privacy Protection:

Your confident and warm words about protecting customer data privacy alone can’t win people’s hearts. You have to keep your word at any cost. With explicit, measurable actions, back your statements always. Establish a culture of trust and manners that value others’ privacy within your company and extend that culture to whatever connections you need. This will let your customers realize that their privacy matters to you, so they won’t hesitate to entrust you with their data. 

Always remember; customers who trust are the most likely ones to convert. And do not forget the fact that trust can only be reached through the aisles of accountability and transparency.