Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) Compliance
Pandectes GDPR Compliance helps Shopify stores comply with Japan’s APPI by scanning for cookies, generating reports, and providing updates to ensure compliance.
What is APPI?
The Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) is Japan’s primary data protection law. Enacted in 2003 and effective from 2005, APPI regulates how organizations handle personal information. It sets out principles including:
- Obtaining consent for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information.
- Providing individuals access to their personal information.
- Implementing appropriate security measures to protect personal information.
APPI applies to all organizations that process personal information in Japan, including both public and private sector entities. Organizations must appoint a personal information protection manager, establish a management system, and report data breaches to the Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC).
Who does the APPI apply to?
APPI applies to personal information collected, used, or disclosed within Japan, as well as data transferred from Japan to other countries.
What happens if I don't comply with the APPI?
Failing to comply with APPI can result in:
- Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs): Fines of up to JPY 1,000,000 (around 9,300 USD) per violation.
- Compliance Orders: The PPC can require specific actions to correct non-compliance.
- Public Findings: The PPC can make public findings of non-compliance and issue improvement orders or business suspensions.
- Legal Action: Affected individuals may take legal action against organizations that violate their data protection rights.
APPI compliance is crucial not only to avoid penalties but also to protect individuals’ personal information and respect their privacy rights.
When will the APPI go into effect?
The APPI was initially enacted in 2003 and came into effect on April 1, 2005. It was amended in 2015, and these amendments became effective on May 30, 2017.
Complying with the APPI
- Customizable consent management
- Automated data subject access requests
- Tools for cookie and vendor management
