Adventures in GDPR Week 1…
Here we are, first full week since GDPR came into effect and what’s changed? Well frankly not a lot. All those emails we received in the final run up to the date, where apathy was meant to be rewarded… I’m still receiving the same volume of Spam as I did before! So much for explicit consent eh?
Any hoo… Today I had to get up Über Early to take the car back to VW. One of its sensors was “impaired” according the error message it was spewing out (This is a different story though). I was asked to get the car in for 7:30am!!! FFS… That’s inhumane… Surely that in itself is a violation of 1998 Human Right Act… Idi Amin as cruel and creative in his administration he may be, even he would let prisoners have a lay in… What is it with these really early starts fuelled by unusual and cruel insomniacs?
I’m sat in reception explaining the fault when I’m asked to complete their GDPR Compliance form on the garages iPad. The first compliance statement is around permission to contact me via email, phone, text etc. However, the statement was a dual statement which included permission to receive marketing from them and their selected partners. I click NO on every statement, however… I am unable to proceed without selecting one form of contact permission.
The young girl behind the desk, then explains that due to “GDPR” if I don’t agree, they won’t be permitted to contact me to let me know my car is ready!
WTAF… Really? I said? I went on to explain that the company has my permission to call me to let me know my car is ready. I feel the start of a Monty Python Sketch coming on.
They went on to assertively explain that “Due to GDPR…”
I really didn’t want to go into “Work Mode”but I haven’t had my first mug of coffee and there really needs to be a “Sensibility Check”with today’s youf…
I asked to speak to her GDPR Compliance Officer, I’m told that they don’t have one…
I explained what I do for a career, their non-compliance etc. The story quickly changed to, they have one but they aren’t in today… hmmm… First week of GDPR and your compliance officer takes a well-earned nap… I think someone’s just Billy Bullshitting me and blagging their way through the day.
Eventually the manager comes out to discuss the matter. I explain that their compliance statement needs separating from marketing where basic practical customer contact is clearly required, and recommend training for staff to not misrepresent GDPR, I’m happy to talk
- Principle (a) – Lawfulness, fairness and transparency
- Principle (b) – purpose limitation
- Chapter III – Articles 12-23
Etc… All day… But I just want my car fixed…
Thankfully, he’s more pragmatic and I returned back to the miserable caffeine deprived loveable ogre I am…
www.muckypaws.com 
I’m disappointed they didn’t offer you a coffee!
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Not as disappointed as a caffeine dehydrated me! 😟
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But your next car from someone who does free coffee
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