What is GDPR and what does it cover?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive EU privacy law that governs how personal data of EU residents is collected, processed, and stored.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive privacy regulation that came into effect on May 25, 2018, across all EU member states. It replaces the previous Data Protection Directive and establishes a unified framework for data protection across Europe.

GDPR covers the processing of personal data of individuals (data subjects) who are in the EU, regardless of where the organization processing the data is located. Personal data includes any information that can identify a person directly or indirectly, such as names, email addresses, IP addresses, location data, and even online identifiers.

The regulation applies to data controllers (who determine the purposes and means of processing) and data processors (who process data on behalf of controllers). It covers various processing activities including collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure, and erasure of personal data.

Key principles include lawfulness, fairness, transparency, purpose limitation, data minimization, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity, confidentiality, and accountability. Organizations must implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure compliance and demonstrate their adherence to these principles.

As noted by Eveline Van den Abeele from Rechtaan, understanding GDPR's broad scope is crucial for any organization handling EU residents' data, as non-compliance can result in significant penalties.

For personalized guidance, consult a GDPR Compliance specialist on TinRate.