When GDPR was introduced in May 2018, it changed the way organisations across Europe and beyond handle personal data. For UK organisations, compliance remains critical, not just for regulatory reasons but also to maintain stakeholder trust.
However, data protection in the UK is evolving. The UK GDPR (which is now separate from the EU GDPR) continues to shape how organisations manage stakeholder data, but potential regulatory changes - such as the upcoming UK data adequacy decision - could have a significant impact.
So, what do UK organisations need to know to ensure their stakeholder engagement strategies remain compliant?
Understanding UK GDPR and its implications for Stakeholder Engagement
Since Brexit, the UK has followed its own version of GDPR - the UK GDPR, alongside the Data Protection Act 2018. While these laws align with the original EU GDPR, future changes may introduce divergences.
One of the biggest upcoming developments is the UK data adequacy decision. In June 2025, the European Commission will decide whether to extend the UK’s adequacy status. If this decision changes, UK organisations transferring data to or from the EU may need to implement additional safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs).
Organisations that handle stakeholder data across borders should stay informed about this decision to avoid compliance issues.
Key GDPR principles relevant to stakeholder engagement
1. Lawful basis for processing
Organisations must establish a clear legal basis for collecting and processing stakeholder data. While obtaining explicit consent is one option, other bases, such as legitimate interests, may be more suitable in some instances.
2. Privacy by design
UK GDPR requires organisations to integrate data protection into their processes. This includes conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) when handling sensitive stakeholder data.
3. Evolving consent requirements
Consent must be clear, informed, and actively given - pre-ticked boxes are no longer valid. UK organisations must also ensure stakeholders can easily withdraw consent at any time.
4. AI-driven data processing and automation
With the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning, UK organisations must ensure transparency and accountability in AI-driven decision-making. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued specific guidance on AI and data protection, including recommendations for explaining automated decisions to stakeholders.
If you use AI for stakeholder engagement - such as analysing sentiment or automating responses - you must ensure stakeholders can challenge automated decisions affecting them.
5. Individual rights under UK GDPR
Stakeholders have the right to:
- Be informed about how their data is used;
- Request access to their personal data;
- Request correction of inaccurate data;
- Request deletion of their data (right to be forgotten);
- Restrict or object to data processing;
- Obtain their data in a portable format.
To remain compliant, UK organisations must have clear processes for handling these requests efficiently.
Data Security and the Consequences of a Breach
Under the UK GDPR, failing to protect stakeholder data can result in severe penalties, with fines reaching £17.5 million or 4% of global turnover, whichever is higher.
To minimise risk, UK organisations should:
- Strengthen cybersecurity with a Zero Trust approach;
- Regularly review and update internal policies and procedures;
- Train employees on data protection and phishing awareness;
- Monitor and limit access to stakeholder data.
The ICO has also warned that many UK businesses lack robust data security measures, leading to avoidable data breaches. Relying on spreadsheets in one of them. Without proper access controls, version tracking, or audit trails, spreadsheets can leave organisations exposed to GDPR violations.
Implications for Stakeholder Engagement in 2025
Data collection and storage
Even if stakeholder data is collected but not actively used, GDPR still applies. Organisations must ensure data is securely stored, relevant to its intended purpose, and not retained longer than necessary.
Consent management
The heightened standards for obtaining valid consent require clear affirmative actions from individuals. Organisations must provide straightforward methods for stakeholders to grant and withdraw consent, ensuring that consent is not bundled with other terms and conditions.
Social media monitoring and compliance
With the rise of platforms like TikTok, organisations must ensure their social media monitoring practices align with GDPR. If you are collecting personal data from social media, make sure you obtain verifiable consent where required and that your monitoring activities are clearly documented.
Global compliance strategy
For organisations operating internationally, GDPR compliance is just one piece of the puzzle. Other data protection laws, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Brazil’s LGPD, introduce additional nuances. A harmonised approach to data governance will help minimise compliance risks across borders.
Emerging geopolitical risks and data protection
Beyond GDPR, geopolitical risks are becoming a major concern for compliance teams. Unlike GDPR, which provides a clear regulatory framework, geopolitical disruptions—such as trade sanctions or supply chain disruptions—are unpredictable and may impact data privacy strategies. Organisations should incorporate geopolitical risk assessments into their compliance frameworks to stay ahead.
Updated recommendations for GDPR compliance
To maintain GDPR compliance while strengthening stakeholder engagement, organisations should:
- Conduct comprehensive audits to identify any compliance gaps;
- Ensure software systems are up-to-date and fully patched against security threats;
- Review and update internal policies in line with GDPR best practices;
- Move to quarterly GDPR policy reviews to stay ahead of evolving regulations;
- Use modern consent management solutions to simplify compliance;
- Enhance employee training by using gamified learning platforms to boost GDPR awareness;
- Integrate GDPR compliance into ESG reporting, demonstrating a commitment to ethical data practices.
How Tractivity helps organisations stay GDPR-compliant
Tractivity provides a GDPR-compliant stakeholder engagement system that simplifies data management while ensuring compliance. With features like:
- Real-time analytics to track stakeholder interactions;
- AI-driven sentiment analysis to assess stakeholder engagement trends;
- Revalidation tools to ensure continued consent and data accuracy;
- Third-party audit readiness for full GDPR compliance.
Whether you’re working in the public or private sector, Tractivity offers a single source of truth for managing stakeholder engagement in a way that prioritises data protection.
Final thoughts
GDPR remains a cornerstone of data protection, but compliance is an evolving challenge. With the upcoming UK data adequacy decision, new AI-driven processing risks, and increasing cybersecurity threats, organisations must proactively adapt their compliance strategies.
At Tractivity, we streamline compliance by providing a secure, structured environment for stakeholder data.
Our complete platform ensures organisations can store and manage data safely, track and revalidate consent automatically, and easily handle subject access and portability requests. With built-in compliance tools, organisations can monitor stakeholder engagement while meeting GDPR requirements, reducing risk and ensuring transparency.
By choosing a purpose-built platform like Tractivity, organisations can confidently navigate GDPR, mitigate compliance challenges, and focus on building stronger stakeholder relationships.
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