The ostrich effect is common among humans. We bury our heads in the sand to avoid unpleasant information and pretend that everything is ok, even if the world is falling apart around us.
While the “out of sight, out of mind” approach can seem attractive in the short term, the bottom line is that problems continue to exist – and get bigger – the longer we ignore them.
Six months on from the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), there’s an alarming amount of ostrich activity going on.
Recent research has shown that 70% of companies are still not fully compliant and are yet to get their heads around what’s expected of them.
A new study by office equipment company Fellowes found that 17% of employees still haven’t been provided with new data protection guidance, and one in ten don’t know who in their organisation is responsible for the GDPR. A further 33% admitted to regularly leaving confidential data unattended.
The European Data Protection Supervisor, Giovanni Buttarelli, recently told Reuters to expect the first round of fines to take place by the end of the year.
The commissioners have reportedly been “overwhelmed” with consumer complaints since the GDPR came into force on May 25th, and when they do come to enforcing them, the fines won’t be small.
Any organisation found to be in breach of the new rules will face fines of up to €20 million, or 4% of global revenue – whichever is higher. Buttarelli believes those likely to be sanctioned will come from all around the EU, including a number of public bodies.
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