GDPR will replace the 1998 Data Protection Act and numerous firms, schools, universities and other bodies have been thrown into a panic over the switchover.
The Information Commissioner's Office has a document on its website which explains the provisions of the GDPR and describes 12 steps companies and bodies need to take.
"You should review your current privacy notices and put a plan in place for making any necessary changes in time for GDPR implementation," it says.
Me ignoring my GPDR emails so I can unsubscribe from everything with 0 effort. pic.twitter.com/JKuU2flFco
— bv (@velzzb) 16 May 2018
"You should review how you seek, record and manage consent and whether you need to make any changes. Refresh existing consents now if they don't meet the GDPR standard," the document adds.
The panic over #gdpr has become a full-blown stampede. Just been contacted by a client whose gdpr compliance group has advised deleting every photo of any person on their website every two years. People need to calm down. Given barmy advice? Give me a call.
— David Banks (@DBanksy) 23 May 2018
But many companies and public bodies have responded by spamming all those who they have ever had any dealings with, asking them if they still want to remain in touch.
Today is our GPDR day…. #GPDR pic.twitter.com/U5Fupotwpj
— Suds U Like 🛀 (@sudsulikeshop) 21 May 2018
Cringeworthy GDPR Subject Lines
"Today's GDPR subject lines include 'Do you really want to leave?', 'Is this goodbye?' and 'Are we breaking up?' Have some f***ing dignity out there, guys," tweeted award-winning journalist Hugo Rifkind.
Chris Peters, from emailblaster, posted a tutorial on Twitter on May 14 in which he pointed out that the Deputy Information Commissioner recently did a radio interview in which he was asked if companies really had to send out these emails to their customers.
Stolen off Facebook #GDPR #DataProtection pic.twitter.com/ZBhrmcyHQy
— Carl Lane (@thatlaneboy) 23 May 2018
#GDPRcompliance #EmailMarketing Can I still email my existing customers under GPDR? pic.twitter.com/vRhTmt6Wf4
— Email Blaster (@emailblasteruk) May 14, 2018
"The answer he gave is that you do not need to get all your customers to re-opt in again. You are perfectly fine continuing to email your current customers," said Mr. Peters.
My entire inbox is beginning to feel like the ramblings of a desperate ex-boyfriend #GDPR pic.twitter.com/3sFe5B09LC
— Sarah O'Connor (@sarahoconnor_) 23 May 2018
So it turns out that all those GDPR emails clogging up the UK's inboxes might have been a complete waste of time after all.
Don’t mind me, just going through my #GDPR emails. pic.twitter.com/DgSJVWkw5w
— Sofiane Ziad (@sofziad) 24 May 2018
Yay for data protection!
GDPR is currently more searched for than Beyoncé on Google https://t.co/CnS96Byn1Y pic.twitter.com/b0rxoDqPFW
— Mems Ruano (@Ice_N_berg) 23 May 2018
From Friday 25th May 2018, life will never be the same again #gdpr pic.twitter.com/hXTh8KKWOt
— Cat Hallam (@CatHallam1) 23 May 2018