In May 2018, new privacy laws will come into place under the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These new laws aim to change how businesses handle and collect customer data. Tighter controls with GDPR will prompt companies, like Facebook, to make big changes to how they user personal information.Under the GDPR laws the leader of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, has said the social media platform will offer new privacy controls. Find out exactly what this entails and how it affects your data…First things first – what is GDPR?The GDPR legislation is an EU directive, which will replace an older outdated version. This will affect all businesses who deal with customer data in the European Union. Failure to comply could lead to some hefty fines. That’s why it’s crucial all companies take note of the new requirements.Aims of the new regulations are to enforce stronger security and privacy when it comes to personal information. It affects how businesses will collect, store and use customer data.The main points raised by GDPR are customer consent, data portability and the right to be forgotten. Customers will also have the right to know how their data is processed. This will create transparency in data collection.The law comes into effect on 25^th May 2018, but many businesses – including Facebook – have already offered GDPR compliant policies.How will the new legislation affect Facebook? Under the current cyber climate, the data businesses collect has come under a magnifying glass. This is particularly relevant with Facebook, after recent investigations into their old data policies and dealings with Cambridge Analytica.Since the inquires, Zuckerberg has announced they will create a more transparent and inclusive policy for their privacy controls.Under GDPR Facebook will be required to update their privacy policies and will have to clearly explain why and how they use your data. This information includes, but is not limited to, a person’s name, photo, email address and social media posts.Facebook has said they will make it clearer how the social platform works. They want push forward “affirmative consent” and give people control of what information is shared.Will this affect Facebook users outside Europe?As an EU legislative change, the GDPR doesn’t necessarily have a global affect. But, the hope is that it will prompt other places to follow suit.As laws elsewhere in the world conflict with new laws in Europe, Facebook could come up against incompatible interfaces. Zuckerberg has offered to tackle this problem, by providing GDPR privacy controls globally. He has indicated that stricter controllers will benefit all users – including those outside the EU.Are you ready for changes?When it comes to data, it’s important all businesses stay ahead of the latest regulations – especially with social media.At Bing Digital, we stay ahead of the curve and up-to-date with the fast-paced digital marketing sector. With 20 years of expert knowledge, we can offer you results-driven and effective social media marketing services.Get in touch today to see how our flexibility and creativity can help you.