The Fundraising Regulator has published changes to the Code of Fundraising Practice, as it looks to bring the fundraising rules into line with new data protection regulations.
The new Code rules will come into effect from 25 May 2018 at the same time that the new General Data Protection Regulation is incorporated into UK law.
Suzanne McCarthy, chair of the fundraising regulator’s standards committee said: “New data protection laws will take effect from 25th May 2018 and we know many charities are concerned about what this means for their fundraising. We hope that these updates to the Code will help fundraisers understand their responsibilities to members of the public when they use their personal data.”
The regulator has published the changes alongside a summary of consultation responses received from data protection specialists, sector bodies, charities and the public between October and December 2017.
It said the changes will ensure consistent terminology between the code and GDPR, create new sections on data protection and direct marketing and Increase links to existing guidance from the ICO, the Fundraising Regulator and other relevant bodies.
They will also emphasise that any activity involving personal data (including wealth screening, data matching, tele appending and reuse of public information) falls under processing and that data protection rules apply, and add and expand definitions for key terms, including ‘processing’, ‘consent’ and ‘legitimate Interest’.
The revisions also highlight those areas that may be subject to further change when the new Data Protection Bill is enacted and PECR is reviewed.
Dan Fluskey, head of policy at the IoF added: “As the deadline for GDPR gets ever-closer, it’s really important that fundraisers can see how the Code of Fundraising Practice will change when it comes into effect. We know there has been uncertainty and confusion over recent months and hope that being able to see what the Code will include will help to give fundraisers reassurance and confidence in how they can communicate with supporters after May 25th.”
Copyright © 2018 RegTech Analyst
Copyright © 2018 RegTech Analyst
