GDPR training still an issue for some UK marketers

According to the DMA’s online survey, in partnership with OneTrust PreferenceChoice, 21% said they have not received enough training to be compliant with GDPR, which was implemented in May 2018.

While 65% of respondents feel they have received the right training on key data privacy issues, 20% say their employers are not implementing ongoing training plans.

Additionally, 18% of marketers said the GDPR expert who conducted their training didn’t have enough experience in marketing.

The survey of 202 marketers was conducted in August 2019. Respondents were mostly from small organisations ( 43%) and mixed business-to-business and business-to-customer businesses ( 46%). Data was collated and analysed by the DMA’s insight department.

Tim Bond, head of insight, Data & Marketing Association, said: "Although many marketers we surveyed recognise the importance of ongoing training programmes, it seems not all organisations are planning to deliver such programmes.

"It’s vital that the implementation deadline is regarded as the starting point for enhancing data protection standards, and so ongoing learning is equally as important to ensure businesses remain compliant."

Ian Evans, managing director EMEA, OneTrust PreferenceChoice, added: "As marketers revisit their GDPR compliance programmes to prepare for new laws, including ePrivacy and the California Consumer Privacy Act, it’s becoming more important than ever to create a harmonised approach to privacy compliance."