5 data privacy regulations you should know when deploying collaboration tools

The European and U.S. regulatory environment has progressed rapidly over the past decade when it comes to data privacy and protection. For companies operating globally, this can be complex territory to navigate to ensure compliance, especially when deploying communications and collaborations solutions to your workforce. 

At Pexip, we know that privacy is a major focus for companies today, as we see a rise in both data breaches as well as the number of laws meant to protect people and their information. Europe’s GDPR was a major step towards greater protection, and we see other, similar regulations emerging globally. 

To make it easy, we’ve identified the 5 key regulations (in Europe and the U.S.) that govern data privacy within video collaboration.  

1. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)   

The GDPR is a comprehensive data protection regulation that applies to all organizations operating in the European Union (EU). It sets out strict rules for how personal data must be collected, processed, and stored, and gives individuals significant rights in relation to their personal data.  

2. Regulation on Privacy and Electronic Communications (ePrivacy) 

This regulation sets out specific rules for the processing of personal data in the context of electronic communications, such as email and instant messaging. It places additional restrictions on the use of cookies and similar technologies and sets out rules for the use of electronic communication for direct marketing purposes.  

3. Cybersecurity Regulations (NIS) 

Many countries in the EMEA region have introduced specific cybersecurity regulations, such as the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Directive in the EU, that set out specific requirements for protecting personal data in the context of cyber threats.  

4. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): 

For organizations operating in the healthcare sector, HIPAA sets out strict rules for the protection of personal health information (PHI). This includes requirements for the secure transmission of PHI over video collaboration platforms.  

5. Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018)

In the United Kingdom, the DPA 2018 implements the GDPR, setting out specific rules for how personal data must be handled in the UK. It replaces the 1995 Data Protection Act and gives individuals greater control over their personal data.  

It is important to note that these regulations can change over time, and that there may be additional regulations that apply depending on the specific context of the video collaboration. Organizations should seek advice from legal experts to ensure they are fully compliant with all relevant data privacy regulations.  

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