GAPP, which stands for Generally Accepted Privacy Principles, refers to a set of privacy principles formulated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to guide organizations in managing and protecting personally identifiable information (PII) under their control. These principles serve as a framework for developing effective privacy policies and procedures within an organization.
GAPP is based on seven key principles that organizations should adhere to when handling PII. These principles include management, notice, choice and consent, collection, use and retention, access, disclosure to third parties, and security.
Under the GAPP framework, management plays a crucial role in ensuring that the organization's privacy policies are established, communicated, and implemented effectively. Notice requires organizations to provide individuals with clear and easily understandable information about their privacy practices. Choice and consent involve allowing individuals to decide how their personal information will be used and giving them the opportunity to opt-out if desired.
Data collection, use, and retention should be limited to what is necessary and relevant to the organization's legitimate business objectives. Access ensures that individuals have the right to access and correct their personal information. Disclosure to third parties is limited to circumstances where it is necessary and appropriate. Lastly, security refers to safeguarding PII against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction.
Organizations that adopt GAPP demonstrate their commitment to privacy protection and may gain the trust and confidence of consumers and stakeholders.
