GDPR

Definition

GDPR, or the General Data Protection Regulation, is a comprehensive data protection law in the European Union that came into effect on May 25, 2018. It aims to give individuals more control over their personal data and to unify data privacy laws across Europe. By establishing strict guidelines for how businesses and organizations handle personal information, GDPR emphasizes accountability and transparency in data processing activities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. GDPR applies to all organizations operating within the EU, as well as those outside the EU that offer goods or services to EU residents.
2. Organizations must obtain explicit consent from individuals before collecting or processing their personal data, and consent must be easily withdrawn.
3. The regulation mandates that data breaches be reported within 72 hours to both authorities and affected individuals if there is a risk to their rights and freedoms.
4. Individuals have the right to access their personal data and request its deletion, known as the 'right to be forgotten'.
5. Non-compliance with GDPR can lead to hefty fines of up to 20 million euros or 4% of the organization's global annual revenue, whichever is higher.

Review Questions

• How does GDPR enhance individual rights concerning their personal data?
  • GDPR significantly enhances individual rights by granting people greater control over their personal information. Individuals have the right to access their data, request corrections, and even demand deletion under certain circumstances, known as the 'right to be forgotten'. This shift towards empowering individuals emphasizes transparency in how organizations handle personal data and ensures that they can exercise these rights effectively.
• What are the key obligations organizations must fulfill under GDPR to ensure compliance?
  • Under GDPR, organizations must fulfill several key obligations to ensure compliance. They need to obtain explicit consent from individuals before processing their personal data, maintain transparent records of data processing activities, implement robust security measures against data breaches, and ensure that individuals can exercise their rights regarding their personal information. Organizations must also report any data breaches within 72 hours if there's a risk posed to individuals' rights.
• Evaluate the impact of GDPR on global data protection practices and business operations beyond the EU.
  • The implementation of GDPR has had a profound impact on global data protection practices, prompting many organizations worldwide to reevaluate their data handling procedures. Businesses outside the EU are now compelled to comply with GDPR if they deal with EU citizens' personal information, leading to a broader shift towards higher privacy standards globally. This has sparked discussions on developing similar regulations in other regions, highlighting the regulation's role in setting a precedent for stronger consumer protection and accountability in business operations around the world.

Related terms

Data Subject: An individual whose personal data is collected, stored, or processed by an organization.

Data Processing: Any operation or set of operations performed on personal data, such as collection, storage, alteration, or deletion.

Consent: A clear and affirmative indication by a data subject that they agree to the processing of their personal data for specific purposes.