GDPR fundamentals: A quick refresher
Since its implementation in 2018, GDPR has required businesses to collect, process, and store customer data with transparency and security. Here are the core principles that remain essential.
- User consent: Every customer must explicitly agree to data collection and usage. Pre-checked boxes and vague wording are prohibited. E-commerce sites and online platforms must ensure that users actively check boxes after receiving clear information on data usage.
- Data processing records: Maintaining a data processing register is mandatory. It must document how your business collects, stores, and uses data.
- Right to be forgotten (Data erasure): Individuals can request the deletion of their personal data.
- Right to data portability: Users have the right to request access to or transfer their personal data.
- Data minimization: Only necessary personal data should be collected.
- Data security: Businesses must protect information from breaches and cyberattacks.
For e-commerce ERPsFor e-commerce ERPs, this means seamless and automated compliance: secure storage, restricted access, and tracking deletion requests.
GDPR in 2025: What’s changing and why it matters ?
GDPR regulations will tighten in 2025, with stricter rules and intensified oversight. E-commerce businesses must be more vigilant than ever. Security, consent, compliance... there’s no room for error. Your ERP must keep up to avoid penalties.
More frequent audits and stricter penalties
Authorities such as the CNIL and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) will increase random audits, requiring concrete proof of compliance. You must be able to demonstrate at any time.
- That every consent is explicit and traceable.
- That your data processing register is complete and up to date.
- That you implement strict security measures against cyber threats.
Failure to comply could lead to severe penalties. Fines may exceed 4% of global revenue. Repeated violations could even result in a temporary business suspension, halting operations. Beyond financial risks, non-compliance could break customer trust.
Mandatory certification for third-party providers
E-commerce companies must ensure their service providers comply with GDPR. In 2025, the CNIL introduces a new certification based on a rigorous 90-point compliance checklist.
This means verifying whether your partners, such as hosting providers, payment processors, ERP, or CRM solutions, meet these standards. While certification is not yet mandatory, working with non-compliant providers could expose you to penalties. It’s best to demand proof of compliance now.
AI regulation and GDPR compliance
Artificial intelligence increasingly relies on data, and the CNIL is issuing specific guidelines to ensure GDPR compliance.
Key changes:
- Greater Transparency: Businesses must clearly explain how AI uses collected data.
- Simplified Compliance: Companies can provide shorter, more user-friendly explanations instead of lengthy legal texts.
- Practical Solutions: Instead of requiring consent for every data point, businesses can anonymize data (removing personally identifiable information) so AI can use it without violating privacy rules.
These recommendations are not yet strict requirements, but they signal the direction regulations could take in the coming years.
How GDPR will impact your ERP and data management in 2025
With stricter GDPR rules, a well-configured ERP ensures compliance effortlessly. Rather than a burden, it’s an opportunity to enhance customer trust and secure your business.
Customer consent: Transparency and traceability
Your e-commerce ERP must manage customer consent with even greater precision. Every decision must be recorded, stored, and modifiable at any time. In case of an audit, you must prove when and how consent was given, withdrawn, or modified. No room for ambiguity: customers should have direct access to their preferences and be able to adjust them in one click. Your ERP should automate reminders to prevent expired or unrenewed consent.
Data security: An ERP built for cyber threats
A well-configured ERP is crucial for protecting data against cyber threats. Access to sensitive data must be strictly limited based on roles, preventing unauthorized access. Every action taken on this data should be logged in a detailed audit trail, ready for review during inspections. Beyond security, compliance is at stake. Encryption, access control, and modification tracking are essential features that your ERP must integrate without complicating daily operations.
GDPR audits: Your ERP must simplify compliance
Audits can happen anytime. You need to provide a detailed data processing register, specifying data purpose and retention periods. Your ERP should allow instant access to this information and generate clear reports without manual effort. No more scrambling for scattered documents: everything should be centralized and accessible. Well-organized documentation means less stress and zero risk of penalties.
Key steps to make your e-commerce ERP GDPR-ready in 2025
Prepare for new GDPR requirements and secure your e-commerce business by following these three steps.
- Analyze where your data is stored, who has access to it, and whether your ERP includes access logs, consent management, and data deletion features. Use external auditing tools if necessary.
- Implement best security practice : Manage access rights, enable two-factor authentication, and automate sensitive processes (e.g., deleting expired data, alerting on non-compliant consents).
- Train your teams and obtain GDPR certification : Educate employees on GDPR best practices and verify compliance certifications from your providers. Better yet, obtain certification yourself to boost credibility and attract security-conscious customers.
Stricter GDPR regulations aren’t just a challenge: they’re an opportunity to enhance security, transparency, and customer trust. With a well-configured e-commerce ERP, you can simplify compliance while optimizing data management. Start preparing now by auditing your practices, securing data access, and involving your teams.
Don’t let GDPR compliance become a headache or a business risk. Secure your data, automate your processes, and turn this obligation into a competitive advantage.