Thanks to the new European data protection rules, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Dutch have more control over how their personal data is collected and used. We are also better protected when data leaks. The new rules apply throughout Europe, regardless of where the data is used and where the organization is located.
Do you receive the newsletters for which you have not registered? Do you get ads after you buy something online? With the AVG you can indicate that you want to be removed from the newsletters. Stricter rules on data breaches also mean that companies must notify you if a breach poses a risk to your rights and freedoms.
5 new rights you have over your personal data:
1. You have the right to receive information about the processing of your data and the right to request free access to the personal data that an organization has about you. This data must be provided in an accessible format.
2. If you believe that your personal data is incorrect or incomplete, you can ask to have it corrected. This must be done without undue delay.
3. It should be easy to withdraw your consent. If your data is no longer needed or is processed unlawfully, you can ask to have the data removed.
4. You have the right to object to receiving direct marketing messages at any time.
5. Automated data processes can cause inaccurate results or even have legal consequences for your situation. In such cases, you have the right to object to the automated decision and to have the decision verified by a person.
It is up to you to exercise your rights. If you believe that your rights have been violated, you can contact the relevant organization. They must respond to your request within one month. You can also submit a complaint to the Dutch Data Protection Authority. The new rules apply across the EU, regardless of where the data is processed and where the organization is located. They even apply to companies that are not from the EU, but target people in Europe. So whether you buy locally or abroad, you continue to have the same rights.
