A comprehensive data protection law that harmonizes privacy rules across the European Union. In force since May 25, 2018, it sets strict rules for how organizations collect, process, store, and share personal data. It applies to all EU-based businesses and to non-EU organizations offering goods, services, or monitoring the behavior of EU residents.
Key Principles
The regulation is built on principles such as lawfulness, transparency, purpose limitation, data minimization, and accountability.
- Lawfulness: Data processing must have a lawful basis, such as consent or a contractual obligation.
- Transparency: Organizations must clearly communicate how they process personal data.
- Purpose limitation: Data must be collected for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes.
- Data minimization: Only the personal data necessary for the purpose should be processed.
- Accountability: Organizations must demonstrate compliance with the regulation.
Individual Rights
It grants individuals rights including access to their data, correction, deletion (right to be forgotten), and data portability.
- Access: Individuals can request access to their personal data.
- Correction: Individuals can request the correction of inaccurate personal data.
- Deletion: Individuals can request the deletion of their personal data under certain conditions.
- Data portability: Individuals can request their personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
Enforcement
Enforcement is handled by national data protection authorities, with fines of up to €20 million or 4% of global annual turnover for serious violations. For businesses in Germany and across the EU, DSGVO compliance is essential for avoiding penalties and building customer trust.
