How can Profile 90 help your scouting department become GDPR compliant?

When we established Profile 90 as an academy based solution for recruitment; we never envisaged an auxiliary benefit of our system would be an enabler for GDPR compliance.

For those that are currently under a rock when it comes to GDPR; here is a reminder. GDPR is short for General Data Protection Regulation. It will come into force on the 25th May 2018, replacing the existing data protection framework in the UK and Europe. 

At the core of the new guidelines is the protection and empowerment of all EU and UK citizens when it comes to data privacy. It is also designed to reshape the way organizations across the region approach data privacy.

GDPR is going to have a significant impact on sport; however while most sporting bodies are focused on supporter and consumer information, player information is also something to consider.

One key area of GDPR is the transfer of data, referred to as data portability. Basically it allows data subjects, otherwise known as people, to request that their data be made available to anyone they request, including themselves.

In layman’s terms this means that a player transferring from one club to another, can request that any internal data held on him/her can be obtained and transferred to his/her new club.  GPS, fitness, psychological, diet data and of course, scouting reports (observational data) are key information held by a club on players.

The transfer of such information, or indeed it deletion (another key element of the new guidelines is the ability to delete information held), could potentially offer a short term competitive advantage to a rival.

The transfer of data could reveal the systems used to manage, collate and process information from the various departments. There is also the small matter of capture information on minors.

Clubs will be required to put adequate systems in place to verify individual ages of members/players and gather and store consent from members and guardians. Consent needs to be verifiable and therefore communicated to underage members in plain and simple language.

So how can Profile 90 aid this process?

Profile90 is a smart talent identification tech platform that integrates scientific insights taking traditional scouting to a new level. It gives a 360 view of a player covering the FA 4 corners (physical, tactical/technical, psychological and social) in the most objective way possible.

On the data tracking side we make it easier to capture data at a game with the ability to send that information straight away to systems. We also have built in accountability to the platform with GPS tracking of scouts and storage of credentials and permissions.

In addition we also have a product that focuses on the mental and social side of the game. We do tests on players for spacial awareness, decision making and emotional maturity. These tests are designed for 13-19 year old's and are designed to help identify elite level footballers and also those with potential but mature enough for the opportunity available.

Our back-end is flexible. As all scouts access the portal via an app; should they leave their access can be deleted from the back-end. No need to worry if they have information in their Gmail or yahoo account. You simply remove their access.

Likewise, in the back-end, if a player request scouting reports. You can simply export the reports created and be safe in the knowledge that the information is consistent. The reason for this consistency is the data first approach we have adopted with button technology applied to make it easier to capture information at a game.

Deleting a scouting report in the back end is very easy too. Just like a scout, a player’s information can be removed, ensuring GDPR compliance and safety.

Not only that but with tick boxes for scouts to ensure they have sought permission and have their relevant clearances, the Profile 90 brings accountability to the scouting process.

The fines for non-compliance will be up to 2% of total global turnover. This is a significant sum and one that could have ramifications for budgets within sporting bodies.

If you have wish to talk to us on the Profile 90 system, reach out.