How the do not sell my data feature works

Introduction

In an era where data privacy is paramount, regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU and similar U.S. state privacy laws (CCPA/CPRA, VCDPA, CPA, CTDPA and UCPA for California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut and Utah respectively) have set new standards. For Shopify stores, complying with these regulations is not just a legal necessity but also a trust signal to customers. The 'Do Not Sell My Data' feature, offered through the Pandectes GDPR app, is a key tool in this compliance journey.

Overview of the Feature

The 'Do Not Sell My Data' feature is designed to empower customers with the choice of whether or not their personal data can be sold. This is especially relevant under certain U.S. state privacy laws, which give residents of some US states, respectively, the right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information. Implementing this feature on your Shopify store not only aligns with these legal requirements but also enhances customer trust.

Setting Up the Feature

Setting up the 'Do Not Sell My Data' feature on your Shopify store is a straightforward process with the Pandectes GDPR app. We have a detailed guide here on how you can add this option to your store.

Technical Details

Under the hood, the feature works in conjunction with Shopify's Customer Privacy API. This API manages customer consent by tracking their preferences regarding data selling. When a customer opts out, the API updates their preference in your store's system, ensuring their data is not sold in accordance with their wishes. This seamless integration is crucial for maintaining compliance without disrupting the user experience.

How to check it on your end

You can check this feature by reading the Shopify's current visitor consent value. You need to open the browser dev tools and on the console tab to run the method:

Shopify.customerPrivacy.currentVisitorConsent()

This methods returns:

{marketing: 'yes', analytics: 'yes', preferences: 'yes', sale_of_data: ''}

What you need to check is the sale_of_data property which can be empty or true/false based on user's choice.

Customer Experience

From a customer's standpoint, the 'Do Not Sell My Data' feature is a simple yet powerful tool. Upon visiting your store, customers from certain U.S. states will see an option, typically at the footer of the page, allowing them to opt-out of data selling. This process is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, ensuring customers can easily exercise their rights without confusion.

Compliance and Legal Considerations

Integrating the 'Do Not Sell My Data' feature is a significant step towards complying with GDPR and certain U.S. state privacy laws. These laws mandate clear communication and easy-to-exercise rights for data protection. By implementing this feature, Shopify store owners can demonstrate their commitment to these principles, potentially avoiding legal complications and building customer trust.

Troubleshooting and Support

Should you encounter any issues while setting up or operating the 'Do Not Sell My Data' feature, help is at hand. The Pandectes support team is available to assist with any technical difficulties. Additionally, the Shopify community and help center offer valuable resources for troubleshooting common problems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 'Do Not Sell My Data' feature is more than just a compliance tool; it's a commitment to customer privacy and trust. As online shopping continues to evolve, respecting and protecting customer data will remain a cornerstone of successful e-commerce. Shopify store owners are well-advised to leverage such features to stay ahead in this ever-changing landscape.

References and Further Reading

For more detailed information and step-by-step guidance, visit the Pandectes help page and Shopify's technical documentation on their Customer Privacy API. These resources provide in-depth insights into the setup, operation, and benefits of the 'Do Not Sell My Data' feature.

Updated on: 29/02/2024