Five years since the implementation of the GDPR, a new survey reveals that 66 percent of UK IT leaders believe the regulation has made customers less willing to trust businesses with their personal information. The survey, conducted by Macro 4, also highlights concerns about the impact of the GDPR on digital transformation and the need for updates to address new challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI).
According to the survey, 44 percent of IT leaders feel that the additional red tape created by the GDPR has hindered digital transformation efforts for many enterprises. Furthermore, 18 percent of respondents expressed a lack of confidence in their organization’s full compliance with the GDPR.
The switch to hybrid working has intensified the investment in GDPR compliance, with 72 percent of IT decision makers stating that they have allocated more resources to ensure compliance in the face of increased access to personal information outside the workplace.
Looking to the future, 85 percent of participants believe it would be easier for UK businesses to continue following the GDPR rather than adopting the proposed new Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (DPDIB). However, 86 percent of IT leaders also assert that the GDPR risks becoming irrelevant if it fails to keep up with advancements in AI technologies, such as ChatGPT.
The survey findings underscore the impact of the GDPR on customer trust and the challenges organizations face in complying with its requirements. While 82 percent of IT leaders claim satisfaction with their data storage, processing, and usage practices being fully compliant with the GDPR, concerns remain about the significant time and resources required to process data subject access requests and other GDPR queries.
Jim Allum, Director of Commercial and Technical at Macro 4, highlighted the need for organizations to work diligently to manage data within the rules and rebuild trust. He also emphasized the importance of robust processes and systems, particularly in the context of hybrid working, to ensure secure data sharing and prevent data breaches.
IT leaders expressed nervousness about the proposed Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, citing concerns over compliance complexity and the potential need to adhere to two separate sets of standards for businesses operating in both the UK and EU.
As AI technologies, including ChatGPT, gain traction in the business world, 86 percent of IT leaders believe that the GDPR will require updates to address the associated data privacy challenges and avoid becoming obsolete.
The survey, commissioned by Macro 4, involved 100 IT decision makers and was conducted to mark the fifth anniversary of the GDPR. Its findings shed light on the impact of the regulation on customer trust, resource allocation, and future considerations for data protection in the evolving technological landscape.
