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Decision Support
Expert verified by Raphael N, CPA

GDPR Compliance for Fintech Startups

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Tailored for Fintech and your role.

RN
Expertly reviewed by Raphael NCertified

Head of Compliance StrategyCPA, CISA, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor

Last Verified

January 11, 2026

Our Editorial Process →

Strategic Priorities for Fintech Leaders

RN

Raphael N

CPACISAISO 27001 Lead Auditor

Head of Compliance Strategy

Raphael leads go-to-market compliance strategy for high-growth SaaS and AI teams. With over a decade of experience across Big Four firms and fintech startups, he specializes in translating complex SOC 2 requirements into automated, engineering-friendly workflows.

Editorial Standards & Methodology

All RiscLens content is researched, written, and reviewed by compliance professionals with real-world audit experience. We maintain strict editorial independence and never accept payment for coverage or rankings.

Audit readiness checklist

  • Define scope and evidence owners for GDPR Compliance
  • Map controls to your Fintech workflows
  • Confirm evidence cadence and review approvals
  • Document exceptions and compensating controls
  • Validate auditor expectations before kickoff

Evidence to prepare

  • Policy ownership records
  • Control testing results
  • Risk assessments
  • Monitoring evidence

Frequently Asked Questions

What lawful bases work for fintech data processing?

Contract performance works for service delivery. Legitimate interests may cover fraud prevention and security. Legal obligation covers regulatory requirements. Consent is rarely the best choice for core services.

How long can we retain financial data under GDPR?

Retention periods should balance GDPR minimization with regulatory requirements. Financial regulations often mandate 5-7 year retention, which provides a legal basis for keeping data.

What are the DPIA requirements for fintech?

DPIAs are required for high-risk processing including profiling for lending decisions, large-scale financial data processing, and use of new technologies like AI in credit scoring.

About RiscLens

Our mission is to provide transparency and clarity to early-stage technology companies navigating the complexities of SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) compliance.

Who we serve

Built specifically for early-stage and growing technology companies—SaaS, fintech, and healthcare tech—preparing for their first SOC 2 audit or responding to enterprise customer requirements.

What we provide

Clarity before commitment. We help teams understand realistic cost ranges, timeline expectations, and common gaps before they engage auditors or expensive compliance vendors.

Our Boundaries

We do not provide legal advice, audit services, or certifications. Our assessments support internal planning—they are not a substitute for professional compliance guidance.

Technical Definition

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a voluntary compliance standard for service organizations, developed by the AICPA, which specifies how organizations should manage customer data based on the Trust Services Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.