EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data privacy law that governs how organizations collect, use, and protect personal data of individuals within the European Union.
What is the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?
The GDPR, enacted in 2018, is the cornerstone of global privacy regulation. It standardizes data protection laws across EU member states and applies to any organization—inside or outside the EU—that processes personal data of EU residents.
The law strengthens individuals’ rights over their personal data, introduces clear requirements for consent, and mandates transparency in data processing. It also establishes key principles such as data minimization, purpose limitation, and accountability.
The GDPR works alongside related frameworks like the EU AI Act shaping how organizations build responsible, privacy-first data practices.
Why the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) matters
The GDPR set a global benchmark for privacy protection and compliance. It ensures individuals can access, correct, or delete their personal data while holding organizations accountable for misuse or negligence.
Compliance with the GDPR not only prevents penalties—up to €20 million or 4% of global turnover—but also strengthens consumer trust and brand integrity.
For businesses, GDPR compliance fosters a culture of data ethics and transparency, enabling responsible innovation and sustainable data-driven growth.
How the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is used in practice
- Providing individuals with clear privacy notices and consent options
- Conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for high-risk processing
- Appointing a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to oversee compliance and reporting
- Responding to Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs)
- Implementing data minimization and retention policies to limit unnecessary storage
- Reporting personal data breaches within 72 hours to supervisory authorities
Related laws & standards
- EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) – India
- ISO/IEC 27701 (Privacy Information Management)
How OneTrust helps with GDPR compliance
OneTrust helps organizations operationalize GDPR compliance by automating records of processing activities, managing consent, handling data subject rights, and monitoring third-party risk. The platform supports global privacy governance and audit readiness.
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FAQs about the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
The GDPR applies to any organization that processes the personal data of individuals in the EU, regardless of where the organization is based.
The GDPR applies to any organization that processes the personal data of individuals in the EU, regardless of where the organization is based.
The GDPR influences many global privacy frameworks, including the CPRA, LGPD, and DPDPA, by setting common standards for consent, data rights, and accountability.
