Learn how to share B2B data legally while ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR and CCPA, and implementing effective security measures.
Sharing B2B data requires strict compliance with legal and security standards to avoid fines, lawsuits, and reputational damage. Here's a quick guide to help you navigate the process:
| Aspect | Requirement |
|---|---|
| GDPR | Legal basis, cross-border safeguards, documentation |
| US Privacy Laws | State-specific (e.g., CCPA, CPRA) and industry rules |
| Contracts | Security, breach notifications, liability clauses |
| Security Measures | Encryption, access controls, regular audits |
By following these steps, you can share B2B data legally and securely while protecting your business and clients.
The rules surrounding B2B data sharing can be tricky to navigate. Here's a breakdown of the key legal and security requirements to help you understand the essentials.
Under GDPR, businesses need to meet strict guidelines for handling and sharing data. These include having clear legal grounds for processing, ensuring secure cross-border transfers, maintaining detailed records, and appointing Data Protection Officers when needed. Here's a closer look:
Security measures like encryption, access control, and regular audits are also critical.
In the U.S., privacy laws differ depending on the state and industry. Some key laws impacting B2B data sharing include:
| Law | Jurisdiction | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| CCPA | California | Disclosures about data sales and opt-out rights |
| CPRA | California | Strengthened protections for business data |
| VCDPA | Virginia | Obligations for data processing and controllers |
| SHIELD Act | New York | Security requirements for business data |
In addition to these, industry-specific regulations may impose further obligations.
Different industries have their own rules for data sharing. Here's how some major sectors handle it:
Financial Services
Healthcare
Marketing and Advertising
Ensuring compliance and securing data transfers is essential. The next sections will cover strategies to meet these regulations effectively.
Before sharing B2B data, it's essential to establish proper legal grounds. The main legal bases for this are consent, contracts, and legitimate interest. Each comes with its own documentation requirements and safeguards.
Consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous. Clear opt-in mechanisms should outline how the data will be used. Proper documentation is key, and the following elements should be recorded:
| Consent Element | Required Documentation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Timestamp | Date and time of consent | May 4, 2025, 2:30 PM EDT |
| Method | How consent was obtained | Digital form, signed agreement |
| Permissions | Specific authorizations | Data types, usage purposes |
| Duration | Validity period | 12 months, indefinite |
Platforms like GetLists simplify this process by automatically logging consent details, making compliance easier and audit-ready.
Data-sharing contracts must include specific clauses to comply with legal standards. For instance, the EU Data Act requires agreements to follow Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory (FRAND) terms, while U.S. regulations emphasize security and liability measures. Key elements to include in contracts are:
For compliance with the EU Data Act, include mediation clauses for resolving disputes over FRAND terms.
Legitimate interest allows data sharing without explicit consent, but it requires a thorough assessment. Businesses should follow a three-part test:
GetLists helps businesses meet these standards by offering granular access controls and detailed audit trails, minimizing exposure while maintaining data utility. These legal frameworks form the basis for the security measures discussed in the next section.
Protecting B2B data during sharing requires robust security measures. According to a 2024 Ponemon Institute study, 43% of vendors don't have documented data retention policies. Below are key steps to secure data-sharing agreements, vendor processes, and employee training.
Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) are essential for ensuring secure B2B data sharing and meeting legal requirements. Many agreements lack clarity around ownership terms, making detailed DPAs critical.
| DPA Component | Required Elements | Compliance Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Security Controls | AES-256 encryption, TLS 1.3 | NIST SP 800-171 Rev.3 |
| Breach Response | 72-hour notification | GDPR Article 33 |
| Data Retention | Deletion protocols with timelines | CCPA/CPRA |
| Access Controls | Role-based permissions, MFA | ISO 27001:2025 |
To simplify this process, GetLists offers automated DPA creation with customizable clauses that align with both U.S. and international compliance standards.
Assessing vendor security is a crucial step in minimizing risks. Organizations that perform regular vendor security assessments can lower breach risks by 63%. For example, Cisco Systems introduced end-to-end encryption and mutual audits for over 850 vendors, leading to a 72% drop in incidents.
Key steps to verify vendor security include:
Bitsight's 2024 security report highlights that automated risk scoring systems can identify vendors with scores below 650, enabling a 48-hour response process for remediation.
Proper training for employees plays a major role in reducing data-related errors. Industry examples show that consistent training significantly improves compliance.
Key training areas include:
GetLists enhances these efforts by providing role-specific training modules and automated tools to track compliance, ensuring teams stay updated on the latest security measures.
Sharing data effectively in the B2B world requires tools that prioritize both efficiency and compliance. These tools work hand-in-hand with the legal and security measures we’ve already covered.
GetLists uses over 10 data sources to verify business leads, ensuring its database of more than 500 million leads is accurate and reliable. This commitment to quality has earned the platform a reported 98% user satisfaction rate.
| Feature | Benefit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Data Verification | Provides high-quality, verified lead lists | Pulls data from 10+ sources |
To protect sensitive B2B data, GetLists employs encryption both during storage and transmission. Users can securely download data in formats like CSV or directly to Google Drive, ensuring data stays safe while meeting compliance standards.
The platform also offers a 24-hour money-back guarantee. If the purchased list doesn’t match its description, users can request a refund, adding an extra layer of trust.
Stay compliant with legal requirements by checking seller credentials and opting for reliable platforms.
These steps support the broader legal and security measures discussed earlier.
The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA/CPRA (California Consumer Privacy Act/California Privacy Rights Act) have distinct approaches to data privacy, especially when it comes to sharing B2B data.
Under GDPR, which applies to businesses operating in or targeting the European Union, you must obtain clear consent from individuals before collecting or sharing their data. It emphasizes transparency, data minimization, and strict security measures, regardless of whether the data is personal or business-related.
In contrast, the CCPA/CPRA, applicable to businesses handling the data of California residents, focuses on consumer rights such as opting out of data sales, accessing personal data, and deleting it upon request. While its primary focus is on personal data, B2B data may still fall under its scope if it includes identifiable information about individuals, such as business emails or phone numbers.
To comply with both regulations, ensure you have proper consent, secure contracts with third parties, and robust data protection practices tailored to each law’s requirements.
To share B2B data legally without explicit consent, businesses must demonstrate a legitimate interest while ensuring compliance with applicable data protection laws. Legitimate interest means the data sharing must benefit your business in a way that does not override the privacy rights of individuals.
To establish this:
Always review applicable regulations, such as GDPR or CCPA, to confirm that your practices comply with legal requirements. If in doubt, consult a legal professional to avoid potential liabilities.
A Data Processing Agreement (DPA) should include clear and robust security measures to ensure compliance with international standards and protect sensitive data. Key measures to include are:
These measures help safeguard data integrity and demonstrate compliance with global regulations, such as GDPR or CCPA, when sharing B2B data with third parties.