Understanding the significance of affiliate links in the context of the GDPR

Affiliate links, in essence, refer to instances where a blogger generates income by featuring a product in a post, which readers can purchase through a provided link.

Who is required to have a GDPR-compliant data protection declaration?

Given the prevalent collection of user personal data on almost every website today, all websites within the European Union are mandated to have a GDPR-compliant data protection declaration.

When should affiliate links be disclosed in the declaration?

As per the GDPR guidelines, individuals earning income through their websites, including affiliate links, are obligated to disclose this information. While affiliate links are not explicitly mentioned in the GDPR, it is crucial to note that affiliate marketing generally relies on cookies to collect user data, necessitating informed consent.

Since the initiation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May 2018, accompanied by adjustments to the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG), various website operators, particularly bloggers, have been navigating the challenges of maintaining a compliant data protection declaration. The amendments introduced new penalties, some of which are substantial enough to pose a threat to even large companies. This guide delves into the reasons behind the mandatory disclosure of affiliate links in alignment with the GDPR.

The intersection of affiliate links and the GDPR

The primary objective of the GDPR is to enhance data security for all citizens in the European Union (EU), ensuring transparent information regarding data collection on the internet. Users are entitled to detailed information about the types of data collected on specific web pages, with the ability to request the deletion of their provided information, a request that website operators must honor.

So, why are affiliate links implicated in the GDPR?

When users visit a website for the first time, they are typically prompted to accept or reject the use of cookies. Opting for acceptance means that data about the user will be collected from that point onward. This scenario underscores the necessity for a comprehensive and GDPR-compliant data protection declaration and cookies on the website. Essentially, every internet user should have easy access to information explaining how their data is being utilized.