General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a regulatory framework that was adopted by the European Union (EU) in 2016 to strengthen and harmonize data protection for individuals within the EU. The GDPR applies to all organizations that process the personal data of EU citizens, regardless of the organization's location.
The GDPR sets out a number of rights for individuals in relation to their personal data, including the right to be informed about how their data is being used, the right to access their data, and the right to have their data erased (also known as the "right to be forgotten"). It also imposes strict requirements on organizations in terms of how they collect, use, and store personal data, including the need to obtain explicit consent from individuals before processing their data and to put in place appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect that data.
Organizations that fail to comply with the GDPR can be subject to significant fines, which can be up to 4% of an organization's global annual revenue or €20 million (whichever is greater). The GDPR also gives individuals the right to seek compensation for any damage that they suffer as a result of a breach of their rights under the regulation.
Overall, the GDPR is designed to give individuals greater control over their personal data and to ensure that organizations handle that data responsibly and in accordance with the law.