What Are Push and Pull Notices?

Push and pull notices are ways of presenting privacy information at the most relevant times during a user’s interaction with a service.

1. Push Notices: These are “just-in-time” notifications that provide specific privacy information when it is most relevant. For instance, when a user is about to submit personal data, a push notice might explain why the information is needed and how it will be used.

2. Pull Notices: These allow users to access privacy information on demand. Examples include privacy dashboards where users can manage their privacy settings or “learn more” links that offer additional details about data processing activities.

Benefits of Push and Pull Notices

• Contextual Relevance: Push notices ensure that users receive pertinent information right when they need it, improving their understanding and decision-making.

• Empowered User Control: Pull notices empower users to access information and adjust their privacy settings as needed, giving them greater control over their data.

• Enhanced Transparency: Both push and pull notices contribute to a more transparent data processing environment, which is essential for GDPR compliance.

Implementing Push and Pull Notices

To effectively implement push and pull notices:

1. Identify Key Moments: Determine when users are most likely to need privacy information. Push notices should be delivered at these critical moments, such as when a user is providing personal data or making privacy-related decisions.

2. Design Intuitive Interfaces: For pull notices, ensure that privacy dashboards and settings are easy to find and use. They should integrate seamlessly into your service, reflecting the same design and branding.

3. Use Clear and Plain Language: Both push and pull notices should be written in clear, plain language that users can easily understand. Avoid legal jargon and technical terms that could confuse or mislead users.

4. Monitor and Update: Regularly review the effectiveness of your push and pull notices. Analyze user interactions to determine if they are engaging with the notices and adjust your approach as needed.

Push and pull notices are powerful tools for enhancing GDPR compliance by delivering privacy information at the right moments and in accessible formats. By implementing these strategies, businesses can ensure that users are well-informed and empowered to manage their data privacy, all while meeting the transparency requirements of GDPR. Focusing on relevance, clarity, and user control, push and pull notices help create a more transparent and user-friendly data environment.

Another practical approach for effectively presenting privacy information is the so-called 'layered privacy notices'. You can learn more about them in our blog post "Layered Privacy Notices: A Practical Approach to GDPR Compliance"

For more detailed guidance on implementing these strategies, refer to the Article 29 Working Party Guidelines on Transparency, or read or blog "Tips and Tricks for Writing a Compliant Privacy Policy".