GDPR

Definition

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive privacy law enacted by the European Union in 2018 that governs the collection, storage, and processing of personal data. It aims to enhance individuals' control over their personal information and establish strict guidelines for organizations that handle such data. GDPR emphasizes transparency, accountability, and consent, ensuring that individuals are informed about how their data is used and have the right to access, correct, and delete their information.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. GDPR applies to any organization that processes the personal data of individuals within the EU, regardless of where the organization is based.
2. Under GDPR, individuals have enhanced rights including the right to be forgotten, which allows them to request deletion of their data.
3. Organizations must appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) if their core activities involve large scale processing of sensitive personal data.
4. Non-compliance with GDPR can result in significant fines, up to 4% of a company's annual global turnover or €20 million, whichever is higher.
5. GDPR requires organizations to implement 'privacy by design' practices, meaning data protection should be considered at the onset of any project involving personal data.

Review Questions

• How does GDPR enhance individual control over personal data compared to previous regulations?
  • GDPR significantly enhances individual control by introducing several new rights for data subjects, including the right to access their personal data, the right to rectify inaccurate information, and the right to request deletion. These rights empower individuals to actively manage their own information rather than simply being passive recipients of data policies. Additionally, organizations are required to obtain clear consent from individuals before processing their data, ensuring that people have a say in how their information is used.
• What are the key responsibilities organizations have under GDPR regarding data protection?
  • Organizations under GDPR have several key responsibilities including ensuring transparency in their data processing activities, obtaining valid consent from data subjects, and implementing appropriate security measures to protect personal data. They must also provide individuals with clear information about how their data will be used and offer easy means for them to exercise their rights. Moreover, if a data breach occurs, organizations are required to notify the relevant authorities and affected individuals promptly.
• Evaluate the implications of GDPR for emerging technologies that rely on personal data.
  • GDPR imposes strict guidelines that significantly impact how emerging technologies can use personal data. For instance, technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics must ensure compliance with GDPR principles like consent and transparency. This can limit the scope of data collection and processing these technologies traditionally utilize. Furthermore, it encourages developers to create solutions that prioritize privacy by design. Ultimately, while GDPR may pose challenges for innovation, it also drives the development of more ethical technology practices that respect individual privacy.

Related terms

Data Subject: An individual whose personal data is processed by an organization under GDPR.

Consent: A clear agreement from a data subject to allow an organization to process their personal data for specific purposes.

Data Breach: An incident where unauthorized access to or disclosure of personal data occurs, which must be reported under GDPR guidelines.