General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
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The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the world's strongest set of data protection rules that enhance how people can access information about them and places limits on what organizations can do with personal data.
Key Facts
- Applies to organizations worldwide processing EU residents' data
- Enforced by national Data Protection Authorities
- Requires appointment of Data Protection Officers in certain cases
- Mandates privacy by design and default
- Grants extensive rights to data subjects
Key Principles
Lawfulness, Fairness and Transparency
Personal data must be processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner
Requirements
- Identify valid legal basis for processing
- Provide clear privacy notices
- Process data as reasonably expected by individuals
- Be open and honest about data practices
Examples
- Obtaining explicit consent for marketing
- Publishing accessible privacy policies
- Explaining automated decision-making
- Documenting legal bases for processing
Purpose Limitation
Personal data must be collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes
Requirements
- Define clear purposes before collection
- Document all processing purposes
- Obtain consent for new purposes
- Restrict processing to stated purposes
Examples
- Specific consent for each marketing channel
- Internal purpose register maintenance
- Regular purpose audit reviews
- Purpose compatibility assessments
Data Minimization
Personal data must be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary
Requirements
- Only collect necessary data
- Regular data necessity reviews
- Remove unnecessary data fields
- Justify all data collection
Examples
- Collecting only essential form fields
- Regular data minimization audits
- Data field justification records
- Deletion of unnecessary data
Accuracy
Personal data must be accurate and kept up to date
Requirements
- Verify data accuracy at collection
- Regular accuracy checks
- Process for corrections
- Update or delete inaccurate data
Examples
- Data validation at entry
- Regular data cleansing
- Self-service update portals
- Correction request procedures
Storage Limitation
Personal data must be kept no longer than necessary
Requirements
- Define retention periods
- Regular deletion reviews
- Document retention justification
- Implement deletion procedures
Examples
- Retention schedule implementation
- Automated deletion processes
- Regular retention audits
- Archive and deletion procedures
Integrity and Confidentiality
Personal data must be processed securely
Requirements
- Implement security measures
- Regular security assessments
- Access control policies
- Data breach procedures
Examples
- Encryption implementation
- Access control systems
- Security training programs
- Incident response plans
Compliance Requirements
Records of Processing Activities
Maintain detailed documentation of all personal data processing activities
Implementation Steps
- Identify all processing activities
- Document purposes of processing
- Categorize data and data subjects
- Record data retention periods
- Document security measures
Required Documentation
- Processing activities register
- Data flow diagrams
- Processing purposes list
- Security measures documentation
- Third-party processor inventory
Data Protection Officer
Appoint a DPO when required and ensure proper integration into data protection governance
Implementation Steps
- Assess DPO requirement
- Define DPO responsibilities
- Ensure DPO independence
- Provide necessary resources
- Establish reporting procedures
Required Documentation
- DPO appointment record
- DPO responsibilities document
- Resource allocation plan
- Reporting structure diagram
- Training records
Data Breach Notification
Implement procedures to detect, report and investigate personal data breaches
Implementation Steps
- Create breach response plan
- Establish detection measures
- Define notification procedures
- Train relevant staff
- Test response procedures
Required Documentation
- Breach response plan
- Notification templates
- Investigation procedures
- Risk assessment forms
- Breach register
Data Protection Impact Assessment
Conduct DPIAs for high-risk processing activities
Implementation Steps
- Identify high-risk processing
- Assess necessity and proportionality
- Evaluate risks to individuals
- Identify mitigating measures
- Document DPIA outcomes
Required Documentation
- DPIA methodology
- Risk assessment templates
- Mitigation plans
- Consultation records
- DPIA register
Enforcement & Penalties
Administrative Fines
Two tiers of administrative fines that can be imposed for GDPR violations
Penalty Categories
Example Cases
Corrective Powers
DPAs can impose various corrective measures beyond fines
Penalty Categories
Example Cases
Regulatory Updates
EDPB Updates
RSS FeedEDPB adopts guidelines on certification criteria for data transfers
The European Data Protection Board has adopted new guidelines on certification as a tool for transfers.
EDPB publishes statement on AI Act
The EDPB has published a statement on the implications of the AI Act for data protection.
Guidelines 01/2024 on privacy by design and default
New guidelines on implementing privacy by design and default principles in accordance with Article 25 GDPR.
Recommendations on supplementary measures for transfer tools
Updated recommendations on measures that supplement transfer tools to ensure compliance with the EU level of protection of personal data.
EDPB-EDPS Joint Opinion on EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework
Analysis of the adequacy of data protection under the new EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework.