# EU Data Protection Proposals

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/08/21/eu-data-protection-proposals/
- Published: 2014-08-21T12:24:39+01:00
- Author: Finbar Cullen

In August 2014, the [Institute of Fundraising](http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/home/)(
IoF) published a member briefing on EU Data Protection Proposals. The IoF wants 
to raise awareness of the proposed European Regulation on the protection of individuals
with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such 
data proposals and what they might mean for fundraising. The proposals from the 
European Commission may be amended as the legislative process is followed, but fundraisers
should read the proposals so that they are aware of the changes that could be made.
The IoF will update members in due course as it knows more on the progress of the
proposals and has more certainty on what will be introduced. The IoF will be working
to raise concerns with relevant decision makers and MEPs to highlight the particular
proposals and amendments the IoF wants to make. If you would like to be involved
or support the IoF’s work on this then please email [da*****@**************************rg.uk](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/08/21/eu-data-protection-proposals/da*****@**************************rg.uk).

It is proposed that, in all media, including direct mail, ‘consent’ for marketing
should be explicit. This would mean that an individual has to make a clear choice
by ‘affirmative action’ (such as ticking a box or some other positive action such
as writing in their details).

The proposal on profiling would mean that charities would no longer be able to target
direct marketing campaigns at specific donor profiles and would severely hamper 
the ability to build up prospect donor information. Profiling based on personal 
data would be prohibited without the explicit consent of the relevant individuals.
This would prevent charities from using profile data without the explicit consent
of the individual, severely reducing their ability to target donors.

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The right to erasure/right to be forgotten would give prospects, supporters and 
donors the right to request the complete and permanent deletion from a charity database
of personal information about them. Surely a charity would need to keep a note of
names and addresses, in order to ensure they did not inadvertently contact them 
again in the future! Currently, individuals can simply request that their data is
no longer used for marketing and be added to suppression file to ensure that this
happens. Charities would still be able to keep personal data for suppression purposes.

The IoF document makes no mention of how the proposals could effect suppliers to
charities (like me!), but Daniel Fluskey intends send a copy of the briefing to 
the chairs of IoF “special interest groups” to say that any feedback and thoughts
from the groups would be welcome.

 

Finbar Cullen, [Research**Plus**](http://www.researchplus.co.uk/)

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