WhatsApp and GDPR for Your Organisation

“Is WhatsApp GDPR compliant?” was a top search term in 2023, and for good reason. We can confirm that your WhatsApp channel can be fully GDPR compliant if approached correctly. Essentially, you must ensure proper consent, easy opt-outs, and that data is processed and stored responsibly.

What is GDPR?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) ensures that businesses in the EU/UK protect consumer data. Introduced in 2018, its goal is to ensure that citizens have the right to the protection of their personal data.

Who Must Comply?

GDPR applies if:

 
• Your company processes personal data and is based in the EU/UK.

 

• Your company is based outside these regions but processes data related to offering goods or services to individuals within them.

What Businesses Must Do

The GDPR dictates that businesses follow these principles:

 
• Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency.

 

• Purpose limitation – be clear about why you collect data.

 

• Data minimisation – only collect what you need.

 

• Accuracy and storage limitation – don’t keep data forever.

 

• Integrity and confidentiality – secure storage is mandatory.

 

• Accountability – you must document your policies.

GDPR in Practice

GDPR is why you see cookie pop-ups, why you must “opt-in” to marketing, and why there is an “Unsubscribe” button in emails. It keeps our data safe and our inboxes free from spam.

Why it Matters for WhatsApp

When businesses use WhatsApp for marketing or service, they collect phone numbers, names, and potentially addresses or purchase histories. Therefore, GDPR rules apply just as they do to email and SMS.

WhatsApp Business App vs. RippleCom: A Different Approach to GDPR?

Whether you use the app or RippleCom, the principles are the same: handle consent and data responsibly. However, RippleCom allows you to set up automated flows that keep your communication compliant, automatically storing consent and making data easily accessible.

Can Large Enterprises Stay Compliant?

Yes. Global enterprises have the same obligations as SMEs. WhatsApp is GDPR compliant for businesses of all sizes if they manage consents and data processing correctly.

Peace of Mind

With RippleCom, you meet the necessary GDPR measures. There is no longer a reason to hesitate. Harness the power of WhatsApp with the convenience you expect from email.

Disclaimer: the information in this article is based on our experience and expertise and is not offered as legal or data privacy advice. For full information on your legal obligations under the GDPR, visit the official European Commission GDPR site.

We hope this was useful in understanding how WhatsApp and GDPR are connected. For more information on how to be GDPR compliant, keep an eye on our website. If you have specific questions in the meantime, please contact us.