#GDPR: compulsory and trending law

How many emails did you receive so far to update your contact details following the General Data Protection Regulation law? How many invitations to events did you receive to further understand the policy? How many email lists did you unsubscribe to? We want to give you a few insights on how we collect and use data at Silicon Luxembourg.

(Featured Image: Charles-Louis Machuron, Founder of Silicon Luxembourg / Image Credit © Serge Deuces)

What data do we collect?

We mostly collect small data in order to share with you the latest news that we publish online and in our print magazine. Small data = email, first name, last name, company, and function.

“I remember when I launched Silicon Luxembourg four years and a half ago, I sent the very first newsletter to 250 friends and key people in my network to get the word out. Since then, the blog has turned into an independent media source for startup news; to date we have more than 5,500 subscribers to the newsletter, 2,000 subscribers to the print magazine and 10,000 followers on social media. That is to say, we have to deal with a large amount of small data—keep it up to date and protect it with our tools. Our tools include marketing automation platforms, excel sheets, and more. We don’t sell any data to any third parties, because your data isn’t ours to sell,” explains Charles-Louis Machuron, founder of and Editor in Chief at Silicon Luxembourg.

“Rest assured, we don’t sell your data to third parties. We keep it for our own communication channels—namely, the newsletter, our print magazine, invitations and reminders.”

How do we collect the data?

The most important thing to know is that we have not purchased, and do not plan to purchase, any email list. We’ve been in touch through other means. Whether you attended one of our events, joined our business club, requested to receive the magazine, got in touch with us by email, or got in touch with us physically at an event, a meeting or by filling out the form or pop-up online, you’re in our network.

For what purpose?

Rest assured, we don’t sell your data to third parties. We keep it for our own communication channels—namely, the newsletter, our print magazine, invitations and reminders. Thanks to you, Silicon Luxembourg became the resource for startup news in Luxembourg and across Europe at large.

“Of course, continuing to receive the latest startup news and information is not obligatory, and we certainly don’t hold it against you should you wish to unsubscribe from our mailing list.”

How do we protect your data?

Our database is saved on different safe devices that we have at our office (not open to public). We also have a backup online on a well-know marketing automation platform, MailChimp, GDPR certified too. So far, we haven’t had any trouble with the database or its contents, and we keep it for our personal use only.

What will GDPR change for us?

Firstly, it will be a major update of our database. We update it once a week already (for example, in case someone leaves a company.)

Secondly, it will be a gentle reminder, on daily-basis to keep making your data safe and take all the necessary measures to ensure your data isn’t used outside of your knowledge.

Of course, continuing to receive the latest startup news and information is not obligatory, and we certainly don’t hold it against you should you wish to unsubscribe from our mailing list. Click on the unsubscription link in the footer of one of our newsletter if you would like to do so.

Should you want to stay in touch with us please, please keep spreading the news to your network, friends and colleagues.