ReadMyContractNow
Back to Glossary

data handling

Definition

Data handling refers to how your business collects, stores, uses, shares, and eventually deletes personal information belonging to your customers, employees, or vendors. Laws in many states and countries require businesses to follow specific rules about each of these steps, and ignoring those rules can result in serious fines. Think of it as the full lifecycle of any personal information that passes through your business.

Example

When a customer buys something from your online store and you save their name, email, and credit card number, every decision you make about that information from that point forward falls under data handling.

Watch Out

Many business owners assume data handling rules only apply to large corporations, but small businesses face the same legal obligations and can face the same penalties for mishandling customer information.

See which terms appear in your contract?

This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.