Data destruction according to the GDPR

Personal records - data protection also applies to waste disposal

The 2018 EU General Data Protection Regulation presents companies with both major challenges as well as opportunities. Demonstrating clear respect for personal data in particular can be a considerable image booster, providing customers and suppliers peace of mind. However, certain areas within some companies are often overlooked but hold significant importance in terms of data protection. One such area is the proper handling and secure destruction of personal documents.

Improper disposal or destruction of documents and storage media can lead to alarming incidents that make headlines. For instance, a Berlin social counseling service discarded reports containing sensitive personal data related to mental illnesses and care needs in regular waste bins. Similarly, used hard drives from public authorities were found available for sale on online platforms, potentially containing highly sensitive data.

These incidents have severe consequences, including a significant loss of trust and the possibility of facing sanctions!