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General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

View Law Text
Maximum Fine
€20M or 4%
Scope
Global
Regulator
Data Protection Authorities
Breach Notice
72 Hours

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Overview

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

Higher Level Violations
Up to €20 million or 4% of global revenue
For violations of basic principles, data subject rights, or international transfers
Lower Level Violations
Up to €10 million or 2% of global revenue
For violations of administrative requirements and security obligations

Example Cases

Amazon Europe
€746 million
2021 - Cookie consent and advertising practices violations
WhatsApp Ireland
€225 million
2021 - Transparency obligations violations
Google Ireland
€90 million
2022 - Cookie consent violations on YouTube

Corrective Powers

DPAs can impose various corrective measures beyond fines

Penalty Categories

Processing Bans
Temporary or permanent
Prohibition on processing specific types of data
Certifications Withdrawal
Immediate effect
Revocation of data protection certifications

Example Cases

Clearview AI
Processing Ban
2022 - Ordered to delete EU resident data and cease collection
Meta Ireland
Data Transfer Suspension
2023 - Order to suspend data transfers to US

Regulatory Updates

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