General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive set of data protection regulations that was implemented by the European Union (EU) in May 2018. It is designed to protect the personal data of EU citizens and residents and to give them greater control over how their data is collected, processed, and stored.

The GDPR applies to all organizations that handle personal data of EU individuals, regardless of their location. This includes businesses, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and any other entity that collects or processes personal data.

The main objectives of the GDPR are to strengthen the rights of individuals over their personal data and to harmonize data protection laws across the EU member states. It introduces several key principles and requirements that organizations must comply with, including:

1. Lawful basis for processing: Organizations must have a valid legal basis for collecting and processing personal data, such as consent, contract performance, legal obligation, vital interests, public task, or legitimate interests.

2. Consent: Organizations must obtain clear and explicit consent from individuals before collecting and processing their personal data. Consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and easily withdrawable.

3. Data subject rights: Individuals have the right to access their personal data, rectify any inaccuracies, erase their data (the “right to be forgotten”), restrict processing, object to processing, and receive a copy of their data in a commonly used format.

Explore the GetResponse GDPR guide to gain insight into what GDPR is and how it impacts you.