The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a European Union regulation that aims to ensure the protection of personal data within the EU and to harmonise the free movement of data within the internal market.
The GDPR came into force on May 25, 2018 and replaces the former Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC. It was developed to strengthen data protection in an increasingly digital world and give citizens more control over their personal data. The regulation applies to all companies that process personal data of EU citizens, regardless of where the company is based.
The GDPR affects a wide range of areas, including:
Key benefits of GDPR include:
Companies face several challenges when implementing the GDPR:
A specific example of the application of the GDPR is a B2B merchant portal, which must ensure that the data of its customers and partners is processed and protected in accordance with data protection guidelines. This includes measures such as encrypting data, regularly reviewing security protocols, and implementing a clear process for data requests and deletions.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) represents an important milestone in data protection law by strengthening and harmonising the protection of personal data in the EU. Organizations must take comprehensive measures to meet requirements, which entails both challenges and benefits.