A recent survey has shown that 80% of those in the healthcare profession plan to request that files containing their personal data be modified or completely deleted. When the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) becomes a reality on May 25, 2018 healthcare workers—almost en masse—will ask for changes or deletions to their personal data.
How can they do this? It is all part of a clause referred to as ‘the right to erasure’ or ‘the right to be forgotten’.
Not surprisingly all businesses that deal with EU citizens either as employees or client are concerned. This process of petition for erasure or modification takes time, personnel, and money. While this right is not limited to the healthcare industry, a recent survey indicated that four of every five healthcare professionals surveyed will petition for modification or erasure of their personal data.
While this 80% figure appears to be the highest in any employee sector, surveys of other groups indicated over 70% would or might ask companies to edit or delete their personal data. Fewer than 10% said they would not be asking for changes or erasures.
What’s the reason?
Implementation of GDPR has shown a new light on personal data. Questions have arisen about:
- How the data is collected
- Why the data is needed
- How the data is used
- Who has access to personal data files
- How this sensitive data is used
- When and how the data is eliminated from files
Thanks to the media, people have an interest and concern for the value of their personal data. They also worry about how this data can be misused. Identity theft has become increasingly more frequent and, this, more worrisome.
This request for erasure or modification will, no doubt, become a huge challenge for any business that employs EU citizens and/or whose clients are EU citizens.