GDPR Compliance and Data Privacy

Introduction

ExpertSpace.io is committed to protecting the privacy of our users and their customers. We stay appraised of developments in data protection laws to ensure that you can be confident in your safety while using our platform.

This page is intended to explain what the rules are, how they apply to your use of the ExpertSpace.io platform and the steps we have taken to comply.

You should review this document in conjunction with our Privacy Policy and contact a specialist legal professional if you require more information or advice.

All data stored on our servers in Google Cloud is encrypted at the storage level using AES256

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Regulation (EU) 2016/679, more commonly known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an EU regulation aimed at harmonising data protection and privacy laws across the EU. The provisions of the GDPR apply wherever the personal data of an EU data subject is involved.

The GDPR is focused on giving individuals more control over how their data is used by companies and making the collection and processing of data more transparent.

The GDPR was incorporated directly into UK law following the end of the Brexit transition period, meaning that UK businesses still have to comply with its provisions through the ‘UK GDPR’.

Basic GDPR concepts

Controller and processor

The GDPR imposes various obligations on a person depending on whether they are a controller or a processor of personal data.

A controller is an entity which decides to process personal data and makes decisions regarding the basis of processing and the methods which will be used. Controllers have certain obligations regarding personal data, which you should familiarise yourself with before collecting personal data from your customers.

A processor is an entity which processes data for and on behalf of a controller. They make no independent decisions regarding the data or its processing, as they only process it on behalf of the controller and must comply with all instructions given by the controller.

When you use the ExpertSpace.io service, you are a controller. You are in control of the data you upload to the ExpertSpace.io system, what you do with that data, and why. As a result, you are responsible for ensuring that you have a legal basis on which to process the data and that you do not retain the data for any longer than is necessary.

You should ensure that you understand your obligations as a controller, and update your own systems and policies to allow the lawful transfer of personal data to ExpertSpace.io. ExpertSpace.io is a data processor. We, through the ExpertSpace.io platform, store and manage the data you have collected under your instructions. We will never use any personal data which you have uploaded to the ExpertSpace.io system for our own purposes or without your instruction.

Legal basis for processing

Personal data may only be collected and processed if there is a legal basis for doing so. The allowable legal bases are set out in the GDPR. The legal bases for processing personal data under GDPR include: consent, performance of a contract, legal obligations, legitimate interests, etc.

As a processor, ExpertSpace.io relies on our customers to select the correct basis under which they will be collecting and processing personal data, and to put the appropriate notices and consents in place. Before you use the ExpertSpace.io service, you should take time to identify which legal bases may be available to you, and only collect and retain personal data to the extent necessary to carry out that basis. You should not change the basis under which you have collected personal data without very good reason, so it is important to understand the requirements of the different bases and make sure you select the right one at the start.

Data subject access rights

The GDPR grants data subjects (i.e. your customers) certain rights relating to their personal data, including the right to access, correct and/or delete any data relating to them.

ExpertSpace.io has put in place easy systems for you to inform us if you receive such a request from a data subject, and for us to inform you if we receive such a request. We will ensure that, following your instructions, these requests are promptly complied with. You should familiarise yourself with the obligations which will be imposed on you, including relating to any personal data you hold on your own systems, or services other than ExpertSpace.io.

Transfers of data to the USA

Personal data may not be transferred outside the EEA other than under specific circumstances. We utilise the Standard Contractual Clauses as part of our Data Processing Agreement which we sign with all of our customers.

Data Security

We have put in place strong security safeguards and measures to ensure that any personal data we hold is stored securely. We regularly test our products for bugs and vulnerabilities.

We ensure that we have regular backup systems in place, and ensure that we have data recovery and data integrity systems and processes to minimise the risk of corruption or loss of personal data.

Steps we have taken to ensure GDPR compliance

We take our duties as a processor very seriously. We have put in place a number of procedures and taken a number of steps in order to ensure that we remain compliant with the GDPR and that you are able to lawfully send personal data collected by you to us, for example:

- Our data processing agreement utilises the Standard Contractual Clauses to ensure that you are able to lawfully send personal data to our servers in the USA.

- In the event of a data breach, we will promptly notify affected users and relevant authorities, as required by GDPR, and take immediate steps to mitigate the impact.

- We are able to deal with subject access requests and rights of erasure requests and ensure that we inform you when a data subject has made such a request to us.

- We have assessed and documented the personal data processed by us on your behalf.

- We have assessed our security and upgraded this where necessary to ensure that it is appropriate for the level of risk we face in relation to a data breach.

- We will retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law.