TL;DR
SurveyMonkey is GDPR-compliant by design, offering features like data encryption, anonymous survey options, and robust access controls. However, how you use the platform determines your actual compliance. If personal data is collected through surveys, GDPR rules must be followed diligently.
How to ensure GDPR compliance when using SurveyMonkey
SurveyMonkey is widely used to collect feedback, conduct research, and measure satisfaction across various domains. But when surveys collect personal data , names, emails, health info, employee opinions, etc.
How to make sure your use of SurveyMonkey stays compliant with GDPR.
1. Know what personal data you’re collecting
Under GDPR, personal data includes any information that can identify a person, such as: Full name, Email address, Phone number, IP address, Health or financial details, Employment-related responses. Before launching your survey, review the questions to see if any PII (Personally Identifiable Information) is being collected. If so, you must treat it as sensitive data under GDPR.
2. Get clear consent from respondents
Inform respondents why their data is being collected, Specify how it will be used, Let them know how long it will be stored, Include an opt-out option. SurveyMonkey allows you to include consent checkboxes and privacy statements within your surveys.
3. Add SurveyMonkey to your list of data processors
If you're collecting PII and using SurveyMonkey to process it, you must list SurveyMonkey as a data processor in your privacy policy, this is a GDPR requirement. You should also ensure a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) is in place with SurveyMonkey. This is usually included in their Enterprise and paid plans.
4. Leverage SurveyMonkey’s privacy settings
SurveyMonkey offers several features to support GDPR compliance: Anonymous response collection, Ability to turn off IP tracking, Option to limit or restrict certain question types, Password-protected surveys, Role-based access control, Take advantage of these features to minimize unnecessary data exposure.
5. Monitor security and access
Data protection under GDPR includes secure storage and limited access. To enhance protection:
Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA), Regularly audit access permissions for your SurveyMonkey account, Avoid exporting sensitive data to unsecured locations, Revoke access for users who no longer need it. Also, ensure that your team understands the security implications of handling survey data.
What SurveyMonkey’s Privacy Policy & GDPR resources say Source: SurveyMonkey GDPR Center
SurveyMonkey outlines its GDPR compliance as follows: Provides a GDPR-compliant Data Processing Agreement (DPA), Uses data encryption in transit and at rest, Supports data deletion and portability requests, Offers tools for respondent anonymity and IP address masking, Hosts data in secure global data centers, with options for EU data residency for Enterprise plansl, Adheres to international frameworks such as EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework, If you have questions or need assistance, you can reach them at privacy@surveymonkey.com.
What if there's a data breach?
In case of a data breach, GDPR Article 33 requires notification within 72 hours. If SurveyMonkey experiences a breach affecting your respondents’ data, they are obligated to notify you promptly.
You, in turn, must notify users (if risk is significant), regulators, and document the event. This highlights the importance of knowing what data you store and where.
SurveyMonkey GDPR Compliance Checklist
Here’s a simple checklist to keep your use of SurveyMonkey compliant: Audit your survey questions for personal data, Add a consent message to each survey, Enable anonymity and limit data tracking, Include SurveyMonkey in your privacy policy as a processor, Use 2FA and secure your SurveyMonkey account, Review your DPA agreement, Train staff on secure data handling.
Who we are
We’re Simple Analytics, a privacy-first alternative to Google Analytics. Our platform is 100% GDPR-compliant, cookie-free, and doesn’t collect any personal data, making us a favorite of legal teams at Michelin, Bloomberg, and others.