GDPR Consulting in Africa: What To Expect and What Nigeria Can Do
You may have heard about the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, in the news recently. The new law is designed to give EU citizens more control over how their personal data is collected and used. It also gives them access to that data, updates on how it’s being held, and the ability to correct it if necessary. The GDPR will take effect on May 25th unless member countries qualify for an exemption. With adoption of the new legislation quickly approaching, businesses in Nigeria should be prepared by consulting with a GDPR expert right now. This blog post covers some key insights you need to know before you start your search for a competent DPO or DPO consultant in Africa:
What is the GDPR?
The GDPR is a regulation that will give EU citizens more control over how their personal data is collected and used. It also gives them access to that data, updates on how it’s being held, and the ability to correct it if necessary. The GDPR will take effect on May 25th unless member countries qualify for an exemption. Like the Nigerian Data Protection Act, the GDPR is a law that will govern how companies collect and store your data. However, while the Nigerian law is limited to processing data of Nigerians, the GDPR applies to any entity that offers goods or services to EU citizens. This means that companies that operate in Nigeria, but aren’t formally based in the EU, will also be affected. The GDPR also gives you more control over how your data is shared with outside parties. You can now request a copy of all the personal data that businesses hold about you. You can also withdraw consent for any use of your data.
Why is the GDRC so Important?
As a law, the GDPR is an important shift for data privacy. But as a regulation, it’s more important. The GDPR is the direct result of the European Union’s awareness of the growing digital privacy concerns. This, in turn, has led to real improvements in the EU digital rights landscape, such as the removal of a 500-year data retention limit. If the GDPR isn’t properly implemented in Nigeria, it could lead to fines of up to €20 million or 4% of a company’s global turnover. In this sense, the GDPR has the potential to truly transform Nigeria’s data protection landscape.
Who will be affected by GDPR?
This is a tricky question, as it depends on whether you’re in the EU or not. The EU has expanded its definition of who’s subject to the GDPR to include: Companies that offer goods and services to EU citizens. In other words, Nigeria is subject to GDPR if it allows EU citizens to access goods and services from here. If it doesn’t, the EU is likely to treat it as if it’s part of the EU. Non-EU businesses that offer goods and services to EU citizens. Again, the GDPR applies to any entity that offers goods and services to EU citizens. Therefore, the new law covers Nigeria if it allows EU citizens to access goods and services from here. EU citizens. This is self-explanatory.
Some key differences between the GDPR and Nigerian Data Protection Act
The GDPR is an EU-only law. It’s therefore only directly applicable in the EU. The Nigerian Data Protection Act is a Nigerian law that applies to all sectors of the economy, including EU businesses. The GDPR applies to any entity that either provides goods or services to EU citizens or stores data about EU citizens. Nigerian data protection law applies to all sectors of the economy and doesn’t differentiate between EU-based and non-EU-based businesses. The GDPR is a regulation, whereas the Nigerian Data Protection Act is a law. It’s important to note, however, that the GDPR is much more significant than the Nigerian law.
Finding a DPO in Nigeria: What to Look for in a Consultant
The Nigerian data protection landscape is still relatively new, so there aren’t many DPOs in the country yet. You can expect this to change as more companies adopt the law. What you can do, however, is contact local data protection authorities to see if any are available to consult with you. The best way to find a DPO in Nigeria is to do your research and look for companies that meet the following criteria: They’re well-established in Nigeria. They provide data protection services. They’ve received recognition through a local authority. They’re certified by a reputable international certification organisation. Part 2 – The Final Word We hope this blog post has given you some insights into the GDPR and what it means for Nigerian businesses. You can get more updates and news on the GDPR by visiting the official website. And remember, it’s important to get ready for GDPR implementation in Nigeria now.