German Companies Face Challenges in Implementing Effective GDPR Data Deletion Practices

German companies are actively working to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regarding data deletion, but many face operational challenges. According to Anja da Cunha, data protection advisor at Ecovis in Rostock, companies must not only secure explicit customer consent for activities like direct marketing but also maintain stringent data deletion mechanisms. Businesses are required to delete personal data once its original purpose ceases, for example, when newsletter sign-up data is no longer relevant for marketing purposes.

Organizations must honor customer requests for data deletion without requiring justification and avoid keeping pseudonymized or backup data that would circumvent deletion. Andreas Bachmeier, consultant at Ecovis in Dingolfing, explains that deletion processes must be clearly documented and followed by all personnel handling personal data, ensuring transparency about what data is deleted, when, and by whom.

While larger companies often employ automated CRM systems and appoint data protection officers, smaller firms commonly rely on manual methods such as Excel spreadsheets, leading to varying practices and some confusion. Given the risk of audits, businesses are advised to implement robust, well-documented deletion strategies and consider engaging external data protection experts to navigate evolving legal requirements. This regulatory landscape requires continuous attention to avoid complacency after initial compliance efforts.