It’s a big day for the European internet.
The General Data Protection Regulation has kicked into effect as of May 25th for those under the great umbrella of the European Union, revoking control of users’ personal data from companies that until now have been free to profit off that data – meaning tons of bogus newsletters and promo emails that you never signed up for will be a thing of the past. But naturally, these companies didn’t let go without a fight, prompting the veritable flood of privacy policy-related emails you might have noticed over the past few weeks. That was them begging for you to let them retain your data, which you would’ve had to opt into. Now that we’re past that line and able to enjoy the tranquility of a steadier inbox, let’s take a tour of the incredible memes people have put together to celebrate GDPR day.
Happy GDPR eve pic.twitter.com/5nnRiczHGV
— TwistedDoodles (@twisteddoodles) May 24, 2018
*gets up*
*runs downstairs*
*looks under the GDPR tree*
HE'S BEEN! HE'S BEEN!
— Andy Parmo ?? (@andyparmo) May 25, 2018
Happy #GDPR Day – totally bamboozled by it all – but this made me smile ???? pic.twitter.com/IGy8VTQkvf
— ?? Moira ?? (@kennysmo) May 25, 2018
A theme emerged in some corners:
DO YOU STILL WANT TO GET OUR EMAILS AFTER GDPR TAKES EFFECT? pic.twitter.com/Ca2kf4FSXA
— Cirque du SoLame (@_Katenip) May 23, 2018
DO YOU STILL WANT TO GET MY EMAILS AFTER GDPR TAKES EFFECT pic.twitter.com/BuchzIh1zB
— Declan Cashin-Chalamet-Porowski-B.Jordan (@Tweet_Dec) May 23, 2018
DO YOU STILL WANT TO GET OUR EMAILS AFTER GDPR TAKES EFFECT? pic.twitter.com/oyx65FHNTC
— Cirque du SoLame (@_Katenip) May 23, 2018
DO YOU STILL WANT TO GET OUR EMAILS AFTER GDPR TAKES EFFECT? pic.twitter.com/zNVFMRRAqM
— Mnrrnt & 207 others (@Mnrrnt) May 23, 2018
Some companies were barely able to contain their desperation.
GDPR email 1: We are changing the way we store data
GDPR email 2: You need to update your subscription to keep getting emails
GDPR email 3: Look you twat we need your updated details
GDPR email 4: We love you please update your settings
GDPR email 5: STOP IGNORING US YOU BELL— TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) May 23, 2018
GDPR emails are by the day sounding more and more like the world’s going to end pic.twitter.com/qUTylfJry7
— Jane Merrick (@janemerrick23) May 21, 2018