What do I need to do before I share personal data online?
Step-by-step guide
Data Protection compliance is everyone’s responsibility and vitally important when sharing digital content online. From collecting personal data as part of an oral history project to sharing the names of participants in a community project — it all falls under UK Data Protection law.
This 10-part guide will explain what you need to know before you share personal data online to ensure you remain legally compliant.
Ten-step guide to what you need to know before sharing personal data online
Step 1: Know your data
Step 2: Have a good reason
Step 3: Keep it in scope
Step 4: Keep it relevant
Step 5: Make sure it’s accurate
Step 6: Take it down when you’re done
Step 7: Keep it safe
Step 8: Be accountable
Step 9: Tell people what you’re doing
Step 10: Let people find out more
Step 1
Step 1: Know your data
Can a living individual be identified from the data you’re sharing?
Step 2
Step 2: Have a good reason
Do you have the correct lawful basis?
If you’re using consent, ensure it’s valid.
Step 3
Step 3: Keep it in scope
Only use it for your stated purpose.
Step 4
Step 4: Keep it relevant
Only use the data that’s relevant – don’t overshare.
Step 5
Step 5: Make sure it’s accurate
Double check what you’re posting and be ready to correct errors quickly.
Step 6
Step 6: Take it down when you’re done
Have a policy in place to review and remove old data shared online.
Step 7
Step 7: Keep it safe
Make sure your website, online platform and / or access to your social media accounts is secure.
Step 8
Step 8: Be accountable
Ensure you’ve documented your policies, procedures and approach.
Step 9
Step 9: Tell people what you’re doing
Make sure your privacy notice is clear about what you do with your data.
Step 10
Step 10: Let people find out more
Ensure individuals know their data protection rights and how to exercise them.
Browse related resources by smart tags:
Data Data protection Digital content Personal data Sharing content
Except where noted and excluding company and organisation logos this work is shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) Licence
Please attribute as: "What do I need to do before I share personal data online? (2022) by Dr Kit Good, Naomi Korn Associates supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, licensed under CC BY 4.0
