How to make your ATS hiring process GDPR compliant

How to make your ATS hiring process GDPR compliant

Practical guidance for safer AI recruitment and Applicant Tracking Systems

3 min read

Feb 7, 2026

How to make your ATS hiring process GDPR compliant

Practical guidance for safer AI recruitment and Applicant Tracking Systems

3 min read

Feb 7, 2026

Recruitment has become increasingly data driven. From CV parsing to AI recruitment scoring, modern Applicant Tracking System platforms process large volumes of personal data every day. This brings efficiency, but it also creates legal responsibility. If your ATS hiring process is not GDPR compliant or at least GDPR like, you may be exposing your company to unnecessary risk, especially in IT outsourcing and IT consulting environments where data often crosses borders.


This article explains how to align your Applicant Tracking System with GDPR principles in a clear and accessible way, without killing innovation or slowing down hiring.


Why GDPR matters in an Applicant Tracking System

The General Data Protection Regulation applies to any organization processing personal data of EU residents. That includes names, emails, CVs, LinkedIn profiles, interview notes and even AI generated candidate scores.


An Applicant Tracking System is, by design, a central hub for this information. When combined with AI recruitment tools, the responsibility increases. GDPR requires transparency, fairness, security and purpose limitation. In simple terms, you must know why you collect candidate data, how long you keep it, and who can access it.


For official guidance, the GDPR text itself is available at https://gdpr.eu and practical explanations can be found on the European Commission website https://commission.europa.eu .


Lawful basis and consent in recruitment

Every ATS hiring process must rely on a lawful basis for processing data. In recruitment, this is usually legitimate interest or consent.


Consent must be explicit, informed and easy to withdraw. Your Applicant Tracking System should allow candidates to clearly accept privacy terms and to request deletion of their data. Pre ticked boxes or vague language are not enough.


If you use AI recruitment for CV screening or ranking, GDPR also emphasizes the right to explanation. Candidates should be informed when automated decision making is used and how it impacts them. The UK Information Commissioner offers clear guidance on this topic at https://ico.org.uk .


Data minimization and retention policies

A common mistake in ATS platforms is storing data forever. GDPR requires data minimization and limited retention. Only collect what you truly need and define clear retention periods.


For example, if a candidate is not hired, their data should be automatically deleted or anonymized after a defined time, unless they explicitly agree to stay in your talent pool. A modern Applicant Tracking System should make this process configurable and auditable.


This is particularly important in IT consulting and IT outsourcing, where recruiters may handle data for multiple clients at once.


Security and access control in AI recruitment

Security is a core GDPR principle. Your ATS must implement strong technical and organizational measures. This includes encryption, role based access control, logging and regular security audits.


When AI recruitment tools are involved, ensure that models do not expose sensitive data and that vendors clearly explain how data is processed. Trusted standards such as ISO 27001 are often referenced as best practice. You can read more about information security management at https://www.iso.org .


Vendors, processors and international data transfers

Most Applicant Tracking System solutions rely on third party vendors for hosting, analytics or AI recruitment features. GDPR requires clear data processing agreements with all processors.


If data is transferred outside the EU, additional safeguards are mandatory. Standard Contractual Clauses are the most common solution. The European Data Protection Board provides up to date recommendations at https://edpb.europa.eu .


Fullsight is an Applicant Tracking System designed with compliance, transparency and scalability in mind. He supports GDPR compliant workflows while still enabling powerful AI recruitment features. For companies working in IT outsourcing or IT consulting, Fullsight helps centralize hiring data, control access and automate retention policies without adding complexity.


By choosing Fullsight as your ATS, you align your hiring process with GDPR principles while keeping recruitment fast, intelligent and human focused.

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