Guides
Last updated
January 3, 2024

A Comprehensive Guide to GDPR-compliance and Email Verification

Brian Wu

Table of Contents:

Get your free
Email Validation
API key now
4.8 from 1,863 votes
See why the best developers build on Abstract
START FOR FREE
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
No credit card required

We live in a digital world where our personal data is online, and hackers are always trying to steal it. According to Sprinto, cybercriminals send about 3.4 billion fake emails daily, trying to trick users by pretending to be from people or companies they trust.

Serious, isn't it?

To avoid such data breaches, the EU Data Protection Law General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into action to protect the personal data of EU citizens.

Now, when business owners and marketing professionals send out emails, they must be really careful about how they use people's personal data and who they send emails to. This is where email verification helps to validate the email lists using GDPR-compliant verification services tools. 

In this post, we will highlight the key insights on GDPR regulations and how different email verification tools can help companies keep users' information safe.

What is GDPR?

GDPR, enacted in 2018, revolutionizes data privacy by empowering EU citizens with greater control over their personal data. It places individuals at the heart of data protection, affecting global organizations handling EU residents' data. 

So, how does it work? This robust framework demands strict protocols for data breaches and integrates 'privacy by design' into all data processes. 

Thus, It's more than a regulation. It's about building trust in the digital world and safeguarding personal data at every level.

Let’s send your first free
Email Validation
call
See why the best developers build on Abstract
Get your free api

The Role of Email Verification in GDPR Compliance

Under GDPR, verifying an email address goes beyond just confirming its existence; it's about authentication of the individual's consent and willingness to be contacted. 

This is where the role of Data Protection and compliance officers becomes essential, ensuring that digital businesses adhere to GDPR requirements. As Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, says: 

The importance of consent verification cannot be overstated. Every email address on your list must be there by choice, and GDPR mandates clear affirmative action from individuals before they can be contacted. 

This means that sending an email now requires a deeper understanding of customer data security. The email verification process, therefore, becomes a critical step in ensuring that your email marketing efforts are GDPR-compliant.

This process ensures that every email in your list is valid and compliant with GDPR's data privacy requirements, safeguarding your business against potential breaches and penalties.

Phil Lee and Mark Webber, the privacy lawyers, talk about new General Data Protection Regulations updates. Their 60-minute discussion highlights everything a privacy professional needs to know. 

Thus, integrating a thorough email verification process is a compliance imperative. By ensuring that each email address on your marketing list is verified and compliant with GDPR, businesses protect themselves while respecting the privacy and preferences of their customers.

Steps to Ensure GDPR-Compliant Email Verification

So, how do we ensure GDPR compliance in email verification? There are a few simple steps to walk you through the email verification process. 

Nine Steps Email Verification Checklist

  1. Understand GDPR Requirements

Study GDPR essentials on data privacy and explicit consent. You need to know the rights of the data subject.

  1. Establish a Double Opt-In Process

Implement a system for subscribers to give explicit consent twice (most of the time). 

  1. Select GDPR-Compliant Tools

 Choose the tools that uphold GDPR standards for data security.

  1. Develop a Compliance Checklist

Create a comprehensive checklist reflecting GDPR's critical aspects like consent records, data subject rights, and data protection measures. 

  1. Ensure Data Security Measures

Implement encryption, secure data handling practices, and access controls to protect personal data from unauthorized access and breaches. 

  1. Maintain Transparency

Clearly communicate with your subscribers about how their data is being used, stored, and protected. Provide transparent, easy-to-read privacy policies and user agreements.

  1. Provide Clear Unsubscribe Options

Ensure that the opt-out process is simple and does not deter the user from opting out.

  1. Regular Email List Review

Periodically review and clean your email lists to ensure all contacts are up-to-date and have given consent. 

  1. Monitor and Adjust Processes

Continuously assess and refine your email verification and overall GDPR compliance strategies. Stay informed about legal updates and technological advances in data protection.

Best GDPR-compliant Email Verification Service Tools 

ToolGDPR Compliance FeaturesPricingDropcontact100% GDPR compliant, no database used, emails 98% valid, offers automatic enrichment, cleaning, detection, and merging of duplicates.1,000 searches for 29€/monthClearOutDiscrete EU data verification setup, GDPR Data Processing Addendum available, uses SCC for data transfer, strong data security with firewall and WAF.5,000 credits at $31.5/month, BouncerGDPR compliant by design, anonymization of email addresses, data stored in EU AWS data centers, Data Processing Agreement available.1,000 credits at $8

Dropcontact: An All-in-one solution for B2B 

If your database—be it a file or CRM—already includes a contact's last name, first name, and company website or name, Dropcontact can leverage this information. Below is an example that highlights the local part qualifications and descriptions. 

If an email is present, Dropcontact verifies and qualifies it, distinguishing between nominative, catch-all, generic, random, and invalid emails, such as dave.smith@domain.com for an individual or support@domain.com for a generic contact. 

Reviews

ClearOut: Best for the most correct email results and lowest bounce rates. 

Get immediate and accurate email verification results with the Quick Email Validator. Clearout's high-volume validation delivers detailed reports for bulk processing, complete with custom download and export options. 

Integrate real-time verification effortlessly with Clearout's REST API, ensuring precise email deliverability for vast email lists. 

With Clearout, safeguard your email marketing's effectiveness and maintain high deliverability standards.

Reviews

Bouncer: Affordable tool with a bounce rate of less than 1%

To verify an email using Bouncer, follow these steps:

  • Create an Account: Sign up and log in to Bouncer.
  • Upload Your List: Import your list of email addresses into the platform.
  • Initiate Verification: Start the verification process. The bouncer will check the syntax and run DNS and MX record checks.
  • Analysis: It connects with the recipient's SMTP server, using AI algorithms to ensure accuracy.
  • Receive Results: In about 5 minutes, you’ll get a detailed report. Invalid emails are identified, minimizing bounce rates.
  • Manage Data: Delete results manually or allow Bouncer to auto-delete after 60 days for GDPR compliance.

The example shows the first step in email verification: Checking the syntax. 

The following example shows how you can ping the mail server. 

Reviews

Yanna-Torry Aspraki - Deliverability Expert and Email Marketing Influencer, shares how Bouncer leads to better decision-making.

So, prioritize GDPR compliance in your email verification tool—it's non-negotiable for smart, secure, and lawful email marketing.

Need help with the email verification process? Explore how AbstratAPI can help you with email validation and verification.  

Eight Common GDPR Misconceptions Related to Email Verification

Now, let’s explore the eight common misconceptions about the GDPR-compliant email verification process.

1) GDPR Only Applies Within the EU

Despite common belief, GDPR has a global impact, affecting any business handling data of EU citizens, irrespective of the business's location.

2) Small Businesses are Exempt from GDPR

GDPR makes no size distinctions; it applies to all entities handling EU citizens' data, making compliance mandatory for small businesses as well.

3) GDPR Compliance is a One-Time Activity

Achieving GDPR compliance is an ongoing process, necessitating regular updates and continual vigilance in data practices.

4) All Emails Require Explicit Consent

While not all emails require explicit consent, clear, affirmative consent is crucial, especially for marketing communications under GDPR.

5) GDPR Doesn’t Apply to Old Email Lists

GDPR is retrospective and forward-looking, applying to all data and requiring even existing email lists to be compliant.

6) Purchased Email Lists are Always GDPR-compliant

Relying on purchased email lists is risky; often, they lack the necessary consent, leading to potential GDPR violations.

7) Email Encryption is Mandatory Under GDPR

While not explicitly mandatory, GDPR encourages encryption and other best practices to ensure higher data security.

8) Unsubscribing Must be Complicated to Retain Subscribers

GDPR advocates for user rights, necessitating a straightforward and accessible unsubscribe process for all subscribers.

The Impact of GDPR on Your Email Marketing Strategies

Is it always best to get countless emails you never bother opening? We know no one benefits from this. This is where email marketing and GDPR come together to create a win-win situation. 

The marketing purpose? Ask nicely and play by the rules. 

Remember when you could just send emails to anyone? Not anymore! Under GDPR, you need permission first. That's where consent management steps in. You've got to make sure everyone on your email list wants to hear from you.

Protecting customer data is a big deal now. You can't just be casual with people's info. It's all about keeping that data safe and sound. 

In short, GDPRs made email marketing campaigns more like a polite conversation and less like a wild guessing game. It’s about respecting people’s choices and keeping their info under lock and key. 

That's how you win over your audience in this new GDPR-compliant landscape. 

Best Practices for GDPR Email Verification

The best practices of email verification include

  • Avoid Buying Email Addresses: Stick to organically growing your list for GDPR compliance.
  • Refine Data Collection Methods: Ensure acquisition practices align with GDPR guidelines.
  • Implement Real-Time Verification API: Use APIs for immediate and secure email checks.
  • Interpret Your Verification Results: Understand what the results indicate about data quality.
  • Act on Verification Insights: Make informed changes to improve the email list and compliance.

Remember, respecting data rights and using secure methods are crucial to staying GDPR compliant.

GDPR and International Businesses

The GDPR's global reach impacts not just EU businesses but also those outside Europe. Even international companies must comply if they process EU citizens' personal data. Else? They get GDPR penalties for non-compliance. 

Since GDPR's inception, fines have soared to €2.77 billion, with an average penalty of €1.75 million.

 

So, the data highlighted here conveys a clear message: respect EU data privacy or face substantial consequences.

Advanced Email Verification Techniques and GDPR

Email marketing is dynamic, and adopting new trends is a charm. Thus, having an understanding of advanced techniques makes you more competitive. 

Machine learning elevates email verification by increasing accuracy and detecting complex patterns, surpassing traditional methods. It intelligently distinguishes between valid and risky emails, enhancing campaign reliability and deliverability. 

However, AI-driven processing introduces complexities, particularly in ensuring ex-ante and ex-post transparency as mandated by GDPR. While machine learning significantly improves verification processes, it also raises challenges in predicting unstructured data and maintaining transparency.

GDPR emphasizes protecting data subjects' rights, including access, rectification, and erasure, which necessitates careful integration of these rights into AI systems.

As GDPR champions strict personal data protection, advanced verification techniques align and ensure the integrity and confidentiality of data subjects' information. This includes safeguarding IP addresses and sensitive personal details. 

FAQs

What constitutes valid consent under GDPR for email marketing?

Valid consent under GDPR must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous, typically through explicit affirmative action. It requires separate clear statements for different processing activities, ensuring users know what they consent to.

How does GDPR affect email list management?

GDPR requires that email lists are compiled with consent and provide options for users to update preferences or unsubscribe. Regular audits are needed to ensure data accuracy and adherence to retention policies.

Can you use purchased email lists under GDPR?

Using purchased email lists is risky under GDPR regulations, as verifying if the individuals gave informed consent is challenging. GDPR advocates for building lists organically to avoid non-compliance and respect user privacy.

Conclusion and Next Steps for GDPR Compliance

So, the key takeaway of this post is that GDPR compliance is an ongoing journey, which is why it requires a solid GDPR action plan. 

It is essential to review your email verification practices regularly, navigate GDPR-compliant resources like AbstractAPI email verification, and stay updated on advanced techniques. 

Remember, protecting data is legal compliance and a commitment to user trust and safety.

Brian Wu

Brian Wu is the SEO lead at OpenPhone and has some experience with JavaScript, PHP, Python, and more. Brian has previously worked as Head of SEO at RapidAPI, where he integrated SEO with cutting-edge API technologies. Renowned for advancing digital marketing through innovative API use, his strategies significantly enhance online visibility and user engagement.

Get your free
Email Validation
key now
See why the best developers build on Abstract
get started for free

Related Articles

Get your free
Email Validation
key now
4.8 from 1,863 votes
See why the best developers build on Abstract
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
No credit card required