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Atlanta Film Society (IMAGE Film & Video) logo
Atlanta Film Society (IMAGE Film & Video)

Atlanta Film Society: Critical Legal Risks in Privacy Policy and Data Handling

Our analysis of Atlanta Film Society’s privacy policy reveals critical legal risks in data transfer, third-party sharing, and user rights—potentially exposing the company to GDPR fines and litigation. Discover actionable solutions.

## When Data Becomes a Liability: Atlanta Film Society’s Privacy Policy Under the Microscope

Imagine facing fines of up to €20 million or 4% of annual turnover under the GDPR, or class-action lawsuits in the U.S. for mishandling personal data. Our analysis of Atlanta Film Society’s privacy policy reveals several critical legal risks that could translate into significant financial and reputational harm if left unaddressed.

1. Ambiguous Consent for Data Sharing with Business Partners The policy states that personal information may be shared with business partners for marketing purposes, but lacks explicit, granular consent mechanisms required by GDPR and CCPA. This exposes the organization to regulatory scrutiny and potential fines.

Legal Analysis
high Risk
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We may usewill only share your Personal Data to contact you with newsletters,our business partners for marketing or promotional materials and other information that may be of interest topurposes if you. ... Additionally have provided explicit, with your permissioninformed, we may also occasionally send you surveys or promotional mailings to inform youand granular consent for each category of other products or services available from us or our affiliatesthird-party communication, and/or share your personal informationin accordance with our business partners so they may send you information about their productsGDPR Article 7 and servicesCCPA requirements. You may withdraw your consent at any time via a clearly accessible mechanism.

Legal Explanation

The original clause is overly broad and does not meet the explicit consent requirements of GDPR or CCPA for third-party marketing. The revision introduces specific, actionable consent and withdrawal mechanisms, reducing regulatory risk.

2. Insufficient Safeguards for International Data Transfers The policy allows for the transfer of personal data to jurisdictions with differing data protection laws, relying on broad assurances of “adequate controls.” Without specific contractual safeguards (e.g., Standard Contractual Clauses), this creates a compliance gap with GDPR Articles 44-50, risking multi-million euro penalties.

Legal Analysis
critical Risk
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Your information, including Personal Data, may will only be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of your state, province, country or other governmental jurisdiction where theinternationally in compliance with applicable data protection laws may differ from those, including the use of your jurisdictionStandard Contractual Clauses or other legally recognized safeguards as required by GDPR Articles 44-50. ... INDEPENDENT MEDIA ARTISTS OF GA ETC d/b/a Atlanta Film SocietyWe will take all the steps reasonably necessary to ensure that your data is treated securelyprovide notice and in accordance with this Privacy Policy and no transfer ofobtain your Personal Data will take place to an organization or a country unless there are adequate controls in place including the security of your data and other personal informationexplicit consent where required by law before such transfers occur.

Legal Explanation

The original clause lacks reference to specific legal safeguards (e.g., Standard Contractual Clauses) required for international data transfers under GDPR. The revision ensures enforceability and compliance with cross-border data transfer regulations.

3. Vague Data Retention Commitments Atlanta Film Society’s retention policy states data will be kept “only for as long as is necessary,” but lacks specific retention periods or criteria. This ambiguity can lead to over-retention, increasing exposure to data breaches and non-compliance with GDPR Article 5(1)(e), which mandates data minimization.

Legal Analysis
high Risk
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INDEPENDENT MEDIA ARTISTS OF GA ETC d/b/a Atlanta Film SocietyWe will retain your Personal Data only for as long as is necessarythe specific periods required by applicable law or for the minimum time necessary to fulfill the purposes set outdescribed in this Privacy Policy. WeRetention periods for each category of data will retainbe published in a publicly accessible schedule, and use your Personal Data todata will be securely deleted or anonymized once the extent necessary to comply with our legal obligations (for exampleretention period expires, if we are required to retain your data to complyin accordance with applicable lawsGDPR Article 5(1), resolve disputes and enforce our legal agreements and policies(e).

Legal Explanation

The original clause is vague and does not specify retention periods or criteria, risking over-retention and non-compliance. The revision introduces clear retention schedules and deletion protocols, enhancing compliance and reducing breach risk.

4. Unclear User Rights Exercise Mechanism While the policy outlines user rights under GDPR, it does not specify clear, accessible procedures for users to exercise these rights. This may result in delayed or incomplete responses, risking regulatory complaints and fines up to €20 million.

Legal Analysis
high Risk
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If you wishYou may exercise your rights to be informed about what Personal Data we hold about you and if you want it to be removed from our systemsaccess, please contact us. ... Whenever made possiblerectify, you can accesserase, updaterestrict, or request deletionobject to the processing of your Personal Data directly within your account settings section. If you are unable to perform these actions yourself, please or request data portability, by submitting a request through our designated online portal or by contacting our Data Protection Officer at [contact us to assist youemail]. We will acknowledge your request within 72 hours and respond within one month, as required by GDPR Articles 12-23.

Legal Explanation

The original clause does not specify a clear, accessible process or response timeframe for user rights requests. The revision introduces a defined mechanism and timeline, ensuring regulatory compliance and user trust.

Conclusion: Proactive Legal Protection is Essential Our examination shows that Atlanta Film Society’s privacy policy contains several high-risk gaps that could result in regulatory fines, litigation costs, and reputational damage. Addressing these issues with precise, enforceable language and robust compliance mechanisms is not just best practice—it’s a business imperative.

  • How confident are you that your organization’s privacy policy would withstand a regulatory audit?
  • What would a major data breach or regulatory fine mean for your bottom line?
  • Are your user rights and data transfer mechanisms truly defensible?

This analysis is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For actual legal guidance, consult with a licensed attorney. This assessment is based on publicly available information and professional legal analysis. See erayaha.ai’s terms of service for liability limitations.