The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a landmark privacy law from the European Union (EU) that came into effect on May 25, 2018.
It sets the standard for data protection and privacy for all individuals within the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA), as well as the transfer of personal data outside these areas.
The regulation impacts any organization, regardless of location, that processes the personal data of EU and EEA residents, emphasizing the global influence of GDPR.
GDPR defines personal data as any information related to an identifiable individual, including names, email addresses, location data, and online identifiers.
This broad definition ensures comprehensive protection for individuals, giving them significant control over their personal information.
Under GDPR, individuals have rights such as the right to access their data, the right to have incorrect data corrected, the right to have their data erased, and the right to object to or restrict the processing of their data.
For organizations, GDPR mandates strict procedures for handling personal data, including requiring clear consent from individuals before collecting or processing their data, protecting data against unauthorized access, and promptly notifying authorities and affected individuals of data breaches.
Organizations must also appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) if they process large amounts of sensitive data or monitor individuals on a large scale.
Violating GDPR can lead to severe penalties, with fines of up to €20 million or 4% of the annual global turnover of the company, whichever is higher.
This potential for substantial fines underscores the seriousness with which the EU regards personal data protection.
GDPR has not only reshaped the landscape of data protection laws in Europe but also served as a model for similar regulations worldwide.
Its implementation has increased public awareness about data privacy and has forced companies to adopt more transparent and secure data handling practices.
