GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a comprehensive data privacy and security regulation that was enacted by the European Union (EU) in 2018. It applies to all EU member states and regulates the processing and storage of personal data, including data that is collected, used, and stored by companies.
Here are some examples of how GDPR affects businesses:
- Data Protection Officer (DPO): GDPR requires certain companies to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) who is responsible for overseeing the company’s data protection and privacy practices. This includes ensuring that the company is in compliance with GDPR and responding to data subject requests.
- Consent: GDPR requires that companies obtain explicit and informed consent from individuals before collecting and processing their personal data. This includes providing information about how the data will be used, who will have access to it, and how long it will be stored.
- Right to Access: GDPR gives individuals the right to access their personal data and request that it be corrected or deleted. Companies must respond to these requests within a certain timeframe and provide a copy of the data that has been collected about the individual.
- Data Breach Notification: GDPR requires companies to notify individuals and authorities in the event of a data breach that may result in the unauthorized disclosure of personal data. Companies must report data breaches within 72 hours of becoming aware of them.
- Privacy by Design: GDPR requires that companies implement privacy by design principles in their products and services. This means that companies must consider data protection and privacy issues throughout the development process, rather than as an afterthought.
- Enforcement: GDPR is enforced by data protection authorities in each EU member state, who have the power to investigate complaints, issue fines, and take legal action against companies that violate GDPR regulations.
GDPR is a comprehensive data privacy and security regulation that sets strict standards for how companies must collect, process, and store personal data. Companies that operate in the EU or collect data from EU citizens must comply with GDPR regulations or face penalties for non-compliance.
