Marketing News, Websites
Aug 8, 2025

Does GDPR Still Apply to Your Website & Business in 2025?

Short answer: Probably—but it depends.

Important Disclaimer

This post is for general info only—not legal advice. Always consult a qualified attorney before taking action based on privacy laws like the GDPR.

GDPR Isn’t New—but It’s Still a Big Deal

Since its enforcement began on May 25, 2018, the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has set the global bar for data privacy.

Its main goals:

Microsoft and other cloud providers fully support GDPR compliance—and you should too if your business touches EU data in 2025.

2025 Update: It’s a Privacy Patchwork

GDPR remains relevant—but you’re also juggling:

If your business collects, processes, or stores personal data of residents in these regions—online or offline—it’s time to act.

What “Personal Data” Could Look Like on Your Site

You might be subject to GDPR and similar laws if you do any of the following:

Collect email addresses or phone numbers
Use cookies or tracking tools (e.g. Google Analytics, remarketing tags)
Store user-uploaded content: photos, testimonials, file uploads
Enable user comments or forums
Use third-party integrations that share or sync user data

If any apply, your site must offer transparency—and respect user rights.

Why You Should Pay Attention

Most GDPR fines target large companies—it’s rare for small businesses to be penalized directly. But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.

Here’s why compliance still matters:

Brand reputation: A privacy breach hurts trust—and losing customer trust in a digital world is hard to recover from.
Future-proofing: International privacy laws are evolving. Your business should be ready.
Business relationships: Partners or marketplaces increasingly require compliance verification.
Insurance limits: Some cyber insurance plans may require privacy best practices.

GDPR fines may reach €20 million or 4% of global annual turnover—but it’s often the indirect costs (reputational damage, lost business) that sting most.

Steps to Review Your Privacy Readiness

Here’s a modern checklist to help your business align with GDPR-level expectations:

Go to the “Sales Channels” section in your Shopify admin panel.
Track what you collect, why, and where it’s stored (even if it’s in spreadsheets).
Update your privacy documentation
Ensure your Privacy Policy is readable, explains user data rights, and reflects current laws. Consider a separate Cookie Policy if you use tracking tools.
Add consent where needed
Forms, pop-ups, and cookies should clearly ask for consent—especially for marketing emails or retargeting.
Build a user data request process
Have an easy way for users to access, correct, or delete their data. Keep a record of requests and your responses.
Use data processing agreements (DPAs)
Any vendor that handles user data—email software, analytics, cloud storage—should sign a DPA acknowledging responsibilities under GDPR/CPRA.
Train your team & update policies
Even small businesses need internal awareness. Add privacy compliance to staff startup and onboarding.

What About US Laws?

In 2025, GDPR standards inform privacy laws globally—but we still don’t have a unified federal law in the U.S.

We do have:

Many businesses choose to treat them like GDPR-lite—a smarter way to manage cross-state risk.

Need a Privacy Check-In? We Can Help.

At Pullman Marketing, we believe privacy practices not only protect your brand—they can become selling points. You don’t need to become a legal expert, but you do need to be ready.

If you’d like a simple website audit or help implementing user-centric data privacy tools, we’d be happy to walk through your options.