By Eugene Tcipnjatov, FreeConferenceCall.com Chief Technology Officer
On May 25, 2018, the European Union (EU) is preparing to roll out its new consumer-friendly data protection law known as the General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR. The new rule requires that businesses make it easy for consumers to understand how their data is used and voluntarily consent to data collection. It also requires companies to provide a compelling reason for data collection and give people access to their information and the right to delete or correct inaccurate data.
This new law only applies to consumers in the EU, although many companies, including FreeConferenceCall.com, are upgrading their global policies to include the higher level of protection for everyone on their platforms. As regulators in the U.S. consider similar new regulations, now is the perfect time for individuals to review their online activities and privacy protections and consider using only those products and services that take serious action to protect their data.
At FreeConferenceCall.com, our customers are truly at the heart of every decision we make and that decision means consumer privacy has been a core business principle of ours since day one, not an afterthought or forced response to regulation.
To prepare for GDPR going into effect, increase transparency and make it simpler for all our customers to understand the information FreeConferenceCall.com collects, uses and stores, we have updated our Terms of Service to provide customers with:
- More details about the information we collect. FreeConferenceCall.com wants to make it as simple as possible for anyone to connect to a conference call, so we only require an email and password. In some cases, more information is needed, which we explain in more detail.
- More details about data retention. Millions of people host and join conference calls every day using our service. How users invite participants and how those participants join the conference determines what data is required. We outline what data is collected, retained and deleted.
- Instructions for requesting more information. Part of the GDPR requirement — and any sound privacy policy — stipulates that users must have a way to find out what personal information a company has and request to change or purge it. Our customers can easily accomplish this by following a simple process described in our Terms.
The implementation of GDPR signifies a tipping point and puts the control over personal data back in the hands of individuals. Since its inception, FreeConferenceCall.com has placed the utmost importance on our users’ data. We have never sold or monetized our customers’ information. As data breaches unfortunately become more commonplace, we all as consumers need to demand better protection by buying and using products and services from companies who are trustworthy and reputable. FreeConferenceCall.com is that type of company and we are committed to continuing to earn the trust and respect of our customers.