What is GDPR?
GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation, the main EU legal framework for the protection of personal data. It sets rules on how organisations collect, process, store, and protect personal information, and it applies across the European Union.
Importance of GDPR in IT Recruitment
GDPR is highly relevant in IT recruitment because recruiters, hiring managers, and agencies handle large amounts of personal data, including CVs, contact details, interview notes, salary expectations, and assessment results. The regulation requires organisations to process that data lawfully, fairly, and transparently.
For tech employers and recruitment partners, GDPR matters because non-compliant hiring processes can create legal, operational, and reputational problems. In practice, it affects how candidate data is stored in an ATS, how long it is retained, who can access it, and how candidates are informed about the use of their data during the recruitment process.
Example / Context Use
A recruitment agency sourcing software engineers in Europe must handle candidate information in line with GDPR requirements.
- The recruiter stores CVs and interview notes in a secure recruitment system.
- The candidate is informed about how their personal data will be used during the hiring process.
- The company or agency must make sure access, retention, and processing of that data follow GDPR rules.
Related Terms
- ATS
- Candidate Data
- Compliance