The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive regulation enacted by the European Union to safeguard personal data and enhance privacy protections for individuals within the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA). Effective from May 25, 2018, GDPR aims to give consumers greater control over their personal information by requiring businesses to obtain explicit consent before collecting, processing, or storing data.
The regulation mandates transparency, including clear privacy notices and the right for individuals to access, rectify, or delete their data. It also imposes stringent data protection and security measures, holding companies accountable for breaches and non-compliance. GDPR represents a significant shift towards stronger data privacy standards, influencing global practices and setting a precedent for data protection legislation.