WhatsApp marketing, GDPR and KVKK: operational checks to prepare

Separate messaging permission from processing grounds

Collecting a phone number for an order does not automatically allow every marketing use. Determine the purpose and lawful basis for each activity with legal counsel. Where consent is required, explain its scope clearly and avoid making marketing permission a compulsory condition of service. Review the relevant KVKK decision.

Keep permission records usable

Record the date, source, wording and scope of permission. Customers should understand the messages they can expect. When moving lists between tools, transfer permissions and opt-outs correctly too. Using a provider does not remove all of the business’s responsibilities.

Avoid unnecessary collection

Define the fields needed for the campaign rather than collecting extra details for hypothetical future use. Limit staff access by role. Set purpose-based retention and deletion rules, considering copies such as logs, exports and backups. Review transfers and provider agreements separately.

Operate opt-outs and rights requests

Remove people who decline messages from scheduled sends as well as visible campaign lists. Assign ownership for access, correction and erasure requests. The EDPB guide to individuals’ rights provides a starting point under GDPR; the conditions for each right still require assessment.

Test the process before a campaign

Use a test record to check opt-in, opt-out, reimporting a list and cancelling a scheduled message. Verify that connected tools use the same preference state. Send material wording and process changes to legal counsel. Compliance depends on working day-to-day processes as well as documentation.

Evaluate your own workflow

Explore Palmate for WhatsApp. Request a demo to review the flow with your own systems and customer requests.