If you’re a MailChimp user you may have received a couple of emails from them recently about their position on double opt-in defaults.
Up until October 31st (2017) MailChimp used a double opt-in feature which meant when someone signs up to your email list they receive an email asking them to confirm the subscription – so a two-step confirmation of the subscription. This was the default setting for most MailChimp configurations.
This double opt-in is pretty handy when it comes to GDPR compliance because it forces the subscriber to take a positive action to confirm subscription, one of the requirements of the new GDPR consent rules.
Whilst the double opt-in functionality is still available, what was changing was the fact it was turned on by default.
Anyhow, judging by a follow up email from MailChimp, it would seem that a number of EU MailChimp users have pointed out the usefulness of double opt-in for their GDPR compliance, so they’ve put the double opt-in back by default for EU users – so you should have received an email from them about this.
The email also says:
Please know that we’re committed to helping our customers get ready for the GDPR. Double opt-in provides additional proof of consent, and we suggest you continue using double opt-in if your business will be subject to the GDPR.
This should also be reassuring to know. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more from them about how they process data, where it’s stored, etc. Requirements which are needed to meet the controller – processor relationship requirements of the GDPR (you’re the controller, they’re the processor).
More information about their decisions on single opt-in and why EU users are getting double opt-in back, can be found in this MailChimp blog post.
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