The internet opens endless possibilities to learn, make money, and connect with people across the globe. But this convenience also presents a challenge – protecting your data and privacy.
GDPR is here to address this issue.
As an existing or aspiring Kajabi user, understanding how GDPR works will help you build a trustworthy business online.
In this article, I’ll break down the essentials, mention how Kajabi adapts this regulation, and provide actionable steps to solidify your GDPR compliance.
Table of Contents
Understanding GDPR and Its Importance
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the European Union’s policy for managing and protecting your customers’ personally identifiable information (PII) or personal data. It’s a rulebook showing businesses the transparent and respectful handling of customer data.
GDPR was born out of a need to modernize data security. The previous guidelines were established in an era before the internet became a part of our daily lives.
You might wonder why you should comply if you’re not in the EU. That’s because running an online business and selling digital products open your store to the world.
This means you could have customers from the EU purchasing your products regardless of your physical location.
So, no matter where you are, GDPR matters. It safeguards data and helps foster a safer digital ecosystem for anyone involved – including you and your customers.
Benefits of Being GDPR Compliant
Compliance with GDPR isn’t just about ticking off a regulatory box. By adhering to it, you’re making a powerful statement.
You’re telling your clients or members that you take privacy seriously and respect their data rights. This cultivates trust and loyalty, potentially leading to higher engagement, more sign-ups, and a flourishing online community.
For your customers, GDPR ensures their personal data remains secure. This allows them to engage with your business with peace, knowing their information is safe.
Let’s say you’re a life coach offering courses through Kajabi. Becoming GDPR compliant assures you’re handling their personal details with care.
Is Kajabi GDPR Compliant?
Yes, it is. The core principles of GDPR revolve around legality and transparency. And Kajabi echoes these commitments. It aims to create a platform where you can confidently run your online business.
Since May 2018, Kajabi made proactive steps toward GDPR. One of their significant accomplishments was completing a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA).
A DPIA is like a safety check for secured data storage. It helps spot any privacy risks and shows ways to reduce them.
Moreover, its team collaborated with legal experts to ensure they were on the right path and that every aspect of its operations complies with GDPR.
Kajabi also updated its Terms of Service and Data Processing Addendum (DPA) to include the updated Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) published by the European Commission in 2021.
This ensures that any data transferred outside the EU will be protected under EU standards. You can review the changes here.
But Kajabi’s commitment to GDPR extends beyond paperwork.
They’ve also introduced new features to protect your customers’ data further. And I’ll delve into these in the next section.
GDPR Compliance Features in Kajabi
The Kajabi platform equips you with several features in a user-friendly format to strengthen your customers’ data security. Let’s take a closer look at how you can use them.
Data Exporting
A fundamental GDPR right is the “right of access.” This means your Kajabi contacts can request their information anytime.
Kajabi accommodates this by allowing you to export contact data from your account.
The platform allows data storage, and you can export them individually or in bulk, with the results emailed to you in a CSV file.
To export contact information, navigate to the ‘Contacts’ tab, select a contact or use filters for bulk actions, and choose ‘Export.’
Data Modification
Another GDPR provision allows your customers the right to rectify or delete their data. Under Articles 16, 17, and 19 of GDPR, Kajabi empowers you to update contact data swiftly upon request.
To do so, you can go to ‘Contacts’ -> choose one contact -> click ‘Edit Contact.’
For deletion, select ‘…’ icon, then ‘Delete.’
Kajabi avoids accidental deletions by asking you to type ‘DELETE’ before proceeding.
Additionally, if you have other admin users, the platform allows you to track who deleted any contact. This will enable you to find the person accountable if something wrong happens.
Checkboxes for Active Consent
While disclaimers are important, active consent offers added protection against future legal issues.
You can add checkboxes to your Kajabi form, thus obtaining explicit consent from your contacts. This ensures that they understand and agree to what they are subscribing to, promoting transparency and trust.
This small step can go a long way in ensuring your online business is GDPR compliant.
Cookie Disclaimer
A cookie disclaimer informs website visitors about the use of cookies, which are small data files used to track their site activity.
On Kajabi, adding a cookie disclaimer is effortless.
You can grab a third-party cookie disclaimer script from Cookie Script or similar apps and paste it into your Kajabi site under Settings -> Site details -> Page Scripts.
This action ensures the disclaimer appears on all your pages, giving visitors the choice to accept cookies.
Opt-in Form Disclaimer
Essentially, this alerts users that subscribing to your form will also sign them up for marketing emails.
Having this transparency strengthens trust and respects user consent.
You can find the customizable disclaimer text inside your page editor. It will be visible once you add a newsletter or subscription form section to your Kajabi website and save changes.
Double Opt-in Feature
The double opt-in form not only prevents your emails from landing in the spam folder. But it also helps you abide by privacy regulations.
Unlike a single opt-in, where users sign up once, a double opt-in asks users to confirm their subscription, ensuring they genuinely want to receive your content.
While Kajabi allows disabling double opt-ins, they advise against it to protect user consent.
To enable this, click the Marketing tab, select Form, then activate “double opt in.” You can customize it or stick with Kajabi’s default setting.
Other Ways to Become GDPR Compliant
Besides using the tools above, here are additional actions you can apply as a Kajabi user.
Provide Unsubscribe Option
Kajabi offers a built-in unsubscribe button. However, clicking it prevents your contact from receiving all future email campaigns.
To maintain some control, you can create and automate your unsubscribe link that your customers can click to opt out of a specific email campaign.
Practice Data Minimization
The best way to avoid data misuse and shield your business and users is to only collect necessary data.
Since you’re using Kajabi and offer digital services or products like coaching and online courses, you only need your client’s full name and email address. And you don’t have to ask for their physical address, demographics, or social security.
Handle Data Requests Swiftly
Complying with data modification or deletion requests “without undue delay” is essential under GDPR. This depends on a case by case.
But ideally, within 72 hours. Prompt action allows you to demonstrate respect for user rights and foster trust.
Publish Privacy and Terms Service Agreement
The Privacy and Terms page clarifies how you use collected data and make it visible to your audience.
You can use numerous online templates like IUBenda to help generate privacy and cookie policies for your website.
Be Upfront with Data Usage
Be transparent about what users are signing up for. So only use data for purposes that users have consented to—no tweaks, no surprises.
Data Processing Agreement
A Data Processing Agreement (DPA) outlines how data will be handled by other people or companies involved. This is an essential document when outsourcing tasks.
Engage only with third-party vendors that provide DPAs to ensure GDPR compliance.
Conclusion
While Kajabi provides features to protect your customers, the responsibility ultimately lies with you.
Taking advantage of these tools and applying best practices can significantly reduce data-related risks. And it ensures your online business is not only successful but also respectful of the data rights of your users.
The road to General Data Protection Regulation compliance might seem daunting, but with Kajabi, you’re well-equipped for the journey.
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