General Data Protection Regulation

Howard Lake | 9 June 2017 | Blogs

I attended an event on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) this week. It was organised by the Institute of Fundraising, and is part of a series of half day events taking place around the UK in June and July. The main speaker was a solicitor from Birketts. It was very thorough and helpful, providing useful information for charities. However, it was not designed for me as a freelance prospect researcher.
From time to time, I continue to wade through the plethora of documents produced by the ICO, Charity Commission and Fundraising Regulator. While Factary and Prospecting for Gold do not seem about to fold, I am not yet convinced that I can continue to work as a freelance prospect researcher. I have contacted a local firm of solicitors for advice and am waiting to hear back from them. Will I end up paying for advice which will leave me uncertain that I may continue to work as a freelance prospect researcher? Unsurprisingly the solicitors are pretty snowed under at the moment, as organisations try to prepare for the introduction of the GDPR in May 2018. If I can wait that long, I might find the reassurance I need at the Institute of Fundraising Consultants’ Special Interest Group meeting in September. If I am correct, then all freelancers could be in a vulnerable position if they handle data covered by the Data Protection Act and GDPR.
Perhaps in the fullness of time, as I learn more about the regulations and guidance, I may eventually be in a position to stop working as a freelancer and find a job where part of my responsibilities might be providing guidance on adhering to the GDPR and guidance.
Finbar Cullen, ResearchPlus

About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale. He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.