General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Definition

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 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 protection laws across Europe. GDPR sets strict guidelines on the collection, storage, and processing of personal data, which is particularly relevant for organizations conducting survey research as they must ensure compliance with these regulations to protect respondents' privacy and rights.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. GDPR applies not only to organizations based in the EU but also to those outside the EU that offer goods or services to EU residents or monitor their behavior.
2. Under GDPR, individuals have the right to access their personal data and request its deletion, known as the 'right to be forgotten.'
3. Organizations conducting survey research must implement measures such as data anonymization and encryption to comply with GDPR requirements.
4. Failure to comply with GDPR can result in hefty fines of up to 4% of a company's annual global turnover or €20 million, whichever is higher.
5. GDPR emphasizes transparency, requiring organizations to inform individuals about how their data will be used and for what purpose before collecting it.

Review Questions

• How does GDPR impact the way organizations conduct survey research?
  • GDPR significantly impacts survey research by imposing strict regulations on how organizations collect, store, and process personal data. Researchers must ensure that they obtain informed consent from respondents before collecting any personal information. Additionally, they need to implement protective measures such as anonymization and secure data storage to safeguard participants' privacy. This compliance ensures that respondents' rights are respected while still allowing valuable insights to be gathered from surveys.
• Discuss the rights granted to individuals under GDPR and their implications for survey research practices.
  • GDPR grants individuals several rights regarding their personal data, including the right to access their data, the right to rectify inaccuracies, and the right to request deletion. These rights impose significant responsibilities on researchers conducting surveys. For instance, researchers must have clear procedures in place for participants to exercise their rights. This may involve creating mechanisms for individuals to request access to their data or withdraw consent after participating in a survey, fundamentally shaping how surveys are designed and implemented.
• Evaluate the challenges organizations face in complying with GDPR during survey research and propose potential solutions.
  • Organizations face numerous challenges in complying with GDPR during survey research, including ensuring informed consent, maintaining data security, and managing cross-border data transfers. To address these challenges, organizations can implement robust data governance frameworks that include training staff on GDPR requirements and establishing clear data handling protocols. Utilizing technology for secure data storage and anonymization techniques can further enhance compliance. Continuous monitoring and adapting practices as regulations evolve will also help organizations effectively navigate GDPR challenges in their research activities.

Related terms

Personal Data: Any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual, such as names, contact details, and identification numbers.

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

Consent: A clear agreement from a data subject to process their personal data for specific purposes, which must be given freely and informed under GDPR.