GDPR data protection icons could enhance transparency

Can privacy policies be enhanced by the use of data protection icons? Industry is working on the issue but pan-European imagery is proving a difficult goal. By Laura Linkomies.

The topic of icons was debated during the drafting of the GDPR. The regulation allows for the use of standardised icons in order to give an overview of the intended processing in an easily visible, intelligible and clearly legible manner. The European Commission may approve standardised icons, but has not taken any steps towards this so far. Several stakeholders are developing their own icons and that’s where the problem lies – there should be EU-wide icons for the system to be effective. However, cultural concepts and existing icons affect the way individuals understand what the icons represent.

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