GDPR Compliance
GDPR compliance refers to adhering to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
The European Union (EU) enacted a comprehensive data protection law in May 2018. It governs how organizations collect, process, store, and protect individuals' personal data within the EU.
Here's a breakdown of key aspects of GDPR compliance:
1. Data Collection and Processing
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Lawful Basis: Organizations must have a legal reason (e.g., consent, contract necessity) to collect and process personal data.
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Transparency: Clear and concise privacy notices must be provided explaining how data will be used.
2. Data Subject Rights
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Right to Access: Individuals can request access to their data.
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Right to Rectification: Individuals can request correction of inaccurate data.
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Right to Erasure: Also known as the "right to be forgotten," this right allows individuals to request the deletion of their data.
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Right to Data Portability: Individuals can request their data in a portable format.
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Right to Object: Individuals can object to data processing under certain conditions.
3. Data Protection
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Security Measures: Organizations must implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect data from unauthorized access, loss, or breach.
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Data Breach Notification: In case of a data breach, organizations must notify the relevant data protection authority within 72 hours and inform affected individuals if there is a high risk to their rights and freedoms.
4. Data Protection Officer (DPO)
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Organizations that process large amounts of personal data or handle sensitive data may need to appoint a Data Protection Officer to oversee compliance.
5. Data Processing Agreements
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Organizations must ensure that any third-party service providers (data processors) they use comply with GDPR and sign data processing agreements.
6. International Data Transfers
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Transfers of personal data outside the EU must comply with GDPR, ensuring that the destination country provides adequate data protection.
7. Accountability and Documentation
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Organizations must maintain records of data processing activities and demonstrate compliance through policies, procedures, and impact assessments.
8. Penalties
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Non-compliance can result in significant fines: up to €20 million or 4% of the organization's annual global turnover, whichever is higher.
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GDPR aims to give individuals more control over their data while ensuring that organizations handle data responsibly and transparently.