Shopify GDPR Compliance: What You Need to Know

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a wide-reaching data privacy law that affects any business handling data from European Union residents. If you sell to customers in the EU, your Shopify store must comply with GDPR requirements. This guide covers what you need to know and how Shopify helps you stay compliant.

What Is GDPR?

GDPR is a data protection law that gives EU residents control over their personal data. It applies to:

• Any business that collects data from EU residents
• Businesses located anywhere in the world (not just the EU)
• Online stores, including all Shopify merchants selling to EU customers

Customer Rights Under GDPR

GDPR grants customers specific rights over their data:

• Right to access: Customers can request a copy of their personal data
• Right to rectification: Customers can correct inaccurate data
• Right to erasure: The "right to be forgotten"—customers can request data deletion
• Right to portability: Customers can receive their data in a portable format
• Right to object: Customers can opt out of certain data processing
• Right to be informed: Customers must know how their data is used

Shopify's GDPR Tools

Shopify provides features to help you comply:

Customer Data Requests

Handle data access, portability, and erasure requests:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy in your Shopify admin
2. Use Customer privacy to view and manage customer data
3. Export customer data for portability requests
4. Erase customer data for deletion requests

You must respond to requests within 30 days.

Privacy Policy Generator

Shopify offers a privacy policy generator:

1. Go to Settings > Policies
2. Click Create from template under Privacy policy
3. Customize the template for your business
4. Save and publish

Review the generated policy to ensure it accurately describes your data practices.

Cookie Consent

For cookie compliance, you may need:

• A cookie consent banner
• Options for customers to accept or decline cookies
• Clear explanation of what cookies you use

Shopify's Customer Privacy API and third-party apps can help implement cookie consent.

GDPR Compliance Checklist

Privacy Policy

• Generate a base privacy policy at Settings > Policies > Privacy policy — Shopify provides a template, but you must customize it for your store
• List every third-party app installed (each may collect customer data) — check app listings in Settings > Apps and sales channels
• Explain how Shopify Payments processes payment data (Shopify is PCI DSS compliant)
• Link your privacy policy in the footer — most Shopify themes include a policy navigation section under Online Store > Navigation > Footer menu

Consent

• Enable double opt-in for email marketing in Settings > Notifications > Customer notifications
• Don't pre-check the marketing consent checkbox at checkout — Shopify's checkout shows this unchecked by default (GDPR-compliant)
• Use Shopify's Customer Privacy API or an app like CookieBot or OneTrust for cookie consent banners
• For Markets: configure consent settings per-region in Settings > Markets — EU markets need stricter consent than US

Data Handling

• Use Settings > Privacy > Customer data request to fulfill access and deletion requests
• Shopify retains order records for tax/legal purposes even after customer data erasure — inform customers of this
• Review which staff members have access to customer data in Settings > Users and permissions
• Set up breach notification procedures — GDPR requires notification within 72 hours

Third-Party Apps and GDPR

Apps installed in your store may also process customer data:

• Review each app's privacy policy and GDPR compliance
• Disclose third-party data sharing in your privacy policy
• Remove apps that don't comply with GDPR
• Consider apps' data processing when handling customer requests

Collections and Customer Data

Your product collections themselves don't contain personal data, but understanding how customers interact with collections can inform your business:

• Analytics on collection views are aggregate, not personal
• Purchase history linking customers to products is personal data
• Recommendation systems using personal data require disclosure

Marketing Compliance

GDPR affects your email marketing:

• Consent required: Only email customers who have opted in
• Easy unsubscribe: Include unsubscribe links in every email
• Record keeping: Keep records of when and how consent was given
• Segmentation: Use customer segments to target only consenting customers

Penalties for Non-Compliance

GDPR violations can result in significant fines:

• Up to €20 million or 4% of annual global revenue (whichever is higher)
• Reputational damage from publicized violations
• Customer trust erosion

Data Processing Agreement

As a Shopify merchant, Shopify acts as your data processor. Shopify's Data Processing Addendum (DPA) covers the legal requirements for this relationship. Review it in your Shopify account settings.

Best Practices

• Audit apps quarterly: Check Settings > Apps and sales channels — remove apps you no longer use that still have access to customer data
• Train staff on data requests: Anyone with Shopify admin access should know how to find Settings > Privacy and process requests
• Use Shopify's DPA: Shopify's Data Processing Addendum covers your Shopify-as-processor obligations — review it in your account settings
• Test your own data request flow: Submit a test request through your store to verify you can actually fulfill it within 30 days
• Document consent timestamps: Shopify records when customers opt into marketing — export this data periodically as evidence of consent

Conclusion

GDPR compliance is an ongoing responsibility, not a one-time task. Use Shopify's built-in tools, maintain clear privacy policies, obtain proper consent, and be prepared to handle customer data requests. When in doubt about specific legal requirements, consult with a legal professional familiar with data protection law.

Related Resources

• Shopify Help: Customer Privacy
• GDPR.eu - Official GDPR Portal
• Managing Your Customer Database