Is Google Analytics 4 GDPR-compliant?

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Google Analytics 4

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is designed to be GDPR compliant, but it requires proper configuration and implementation to ensure compliance. Google offers several features and settings that can be used to comply with GDPR requirements, such as data retention controls, user removal controls and IP address anonymisation.

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In this article you can read...

  • GDPR-what!
  • What should I look out for in GA4?
  • Who can help me with a correct implementation?
(Read more below.)
Is Google Analytics 4 GDPR-compliant?

GDPR-what!

The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a law governing the protection of personal data of EU citizens. It applies to all companies and organisations that process personal data, whether they are based in the EU or not.

The GDPR stipulates that companies and organisations need clear consent from individuals before they can collect, process or share their personal data. It also requires companies and organisations to keep personal data secure and confidential and give individuals the right to view, amend or delete their personal data if necessary.

The GDPR has also imposed penalties for companies and organisations that fail to comply with the law, including fines of up to 4% of annual global turnover or €20 million, whichever is higher.

In short, the GDPR aims to protect the privacy of individuals and hold companies and organisations accountable for how they collect, process and share personal data.

What should I look out for in GA4?

To ensure GDPR compliance with GA4, it is important to:

  • Obtain prior user consent before collecting personal data.
  • Anonymise IP addresses in GA4 to avoid identifiable data.
  • Configure data retention settings to comply with GDPR retention periods.
  • Enable user deletion controls to enable users to request deletion of their data.
  • Implement privacy policies and cookie consent banners to inform users about data collection and use.

It is important to remember that although GA4 is designed to be GDPR-compliant, you still have a responsibility to ensure that it is properly configured and implemented to meet GDPR requirements. It is also advisable to consult legal counsel to ensure that you are compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.

Who can help me with a correct implementation?

There are several ways you can get help in implementing a proper GA4 GDPR implementation:

  1. Refer to Google's official documentation on GA4 and GDPR. Google has detailed guidelines and documentation for GA4 and GDPR compliance on their website.
  2. Switch a external consultant in with expertise in GA4 and GDPR. There are several companies and individuals who have specialised in helping organisations implement a GDPR-compliant GA4 solution. It is important to ensure that the consultant you select has experience in implementing GA4 and GDPR.
  3. Attend webinars and trainings on GA4 and GDPR. Google offers free webinars and trainings on GA4 and GDPR compliance on their website. This can be a useful way to learn more about the topic and understand how to implement GA4 correctly to comply with GDPR requirements.
  4. Consult a legal advisor with expertise in GDPR. It may be useful to consult a legal advisor with expertise in GDPR to ensure that you comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

It is important to remember that implementing a GDPR-compliant GA4 solution can be complex and it is important to take time to understand how to implement GA4 correctly to comply with GDPR requirements.

In this article you can read...

  • GDPR-what!
  • What should I look out for in GA4?
  • Who can help me with a correct implementation?

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