TL;DR
Canva is just a design tool and doesn’t store any user data by default - hence it’s GDPR-compliant.
However, if you intend to move any of your user data to Canva for marketing material purpose, you’d need to follow certain GDPR guidelines.
- How to maintain GDPR compliance with Canva
- Do I need a cookie banner with Canva?
- What Canva’s Privacy Policy/GDPR page says
- About Canva
- Who are we
How to maintain GDPR compliance with Canva
As long as you ensure that no customer data is moved to Canva, you don’t need to worry about GDPR compliance with Canva as it’s not considered a data processor under GDPR law.
However, if you store or have any customer data on Canva, you must follow specific steps.
Inform user
Whenever you process or move user data to a third-party (Canva), you need to get user informed.
Ensure that Canva is included in the data sub-processor section of your privacy policy page. This is mandatory under the new GDPR regulations, and all businesses must comply.
Here’s how you need to mention Canva in your privacy policy page
Monitor data security
According to Article 33 of the GDPR law, it is mandatory to notify users in the event of a data breach. To comply with this, it is essential to monitor Canva to ensure no data breaches are reported by them. While such incidents are unlikely, they remain a possibility.
Additionally, it’s recommended that you ensure security by having a strong password with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enabled. Even though it's not mandatory, doing this will help you with any possible data leaks due to account hacking, which may cause legal trouble.
Do I need a cookie banner with Canva?
No!
Canva doesn't require a cookie banner; however, in certain cases, you'll need to add it to the list of data sub-processors, as explained above.
Note: If you intend to use “Canva Embed”, then you’ll have to add a cookie banner. Additionally, you’ll have to allow your users to have the option to opt out of tracking via third-party marketing tools when they need to, in order to ensure GDPR compliance. You can use a free CMP tool like Termly or Cookiebot to manage this step.
What Canva’s Privacy Policy/GDPR page says
The Canva Privacy Policy, updated on December 19, 2024, explains how the platform collects, uses, and shares user data. It applies to all users, including those in the Canva for Education program.
- Information Collection: Canva gathers information directly from users during account registration and interaction. It also collects data from third-party applications and automatically through cookies and similar technologies.
- Data Usage: The collected information is used to provide and enhance Canva's services, personalize user experiences, and for communication and advertising purposes. Notably, students using Canva for Education do not receive advertising.
For data sharing, Canva collaborates with third-party service providers and may share information with employers if a work email is used. User data might also be disclosed during corporate events like mergers.
Users have control over their personal data, with rights to access, correct, and request deletion. They can also opt out of certain data uses, such as targeted advertising. Canva ensures data protection through security measures and complies with global privacy regulations.
- Regional Considerations: The policy provides additional rights for users in Europe and the U.S. These rights align with region-specific privacy laws, like GDPR in Europe.
- Policy Updates: Canva notifies users of changes to the policy via email or website updates.
Contact information for privacy inquiries is available, demonstrating Canva’s commitment to transparency and user privacy.
About Canva
Canva was launched in 2013 by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams. The platform provides tools that allow users to create professional-looking designs for presentations, social media graphics, posters, and more without the need for extensive graphic design experience. Canva’s mission is to democratize design, offering a highly accessible platform for users ranging from beginners to professional designers.
In terms of privacy, Canva follows standard security practices, including encryption and secure data storage. While it is not branded as a privacy-specific tool, Canva respects user data by ensuring it is stored securely and accessed only by authorized individuals. This makes it a viable choice for those concerned about data privacy, even though Canva collects some data for analytics and operational purposes.
Who are we
We are Simple Analytics, a privacy-friendly and GDPR-compliant Google Analytics alternative. We're EU-based & hosted, and normally best friend with your legal team (ask Michelin, Bloomberg, Mollie). Our aim is to improve data privacy by providing the website you need while being 100% compliant out of the box.
Freel free to give us a try. If you want me to show a demo, please schedule something using my link.