The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a data privacy law that sets high standards for the protection of personal data across the European Union (EU). GDPR applies to all entities handling the personal data of EU residents, regardless of the company’s location. The regulation emphasizes transparency, data protection by design, and accountability, aiming to safeguard EU citizens' privacy in an increasingly data-driven world.

• Consent Management: Organizations must obtain explicit, informed consent from individuals before collecting their data.
• Right to Access, Erasure, and Portability: Data subjects have the right to view, delete, and transfer their data.
• Data Minimization: Organizations are required to collect only the data necessary for specific purposes.
• Data Breach Notification: Breaches involving personal data must be reported to the relevant supervisory authority within 72 hours.
• Data Protection by Design and Default: GDPR requires that data protection measures be integrated into new systems and processes.

GDPR was adopted on April 14, 2016, and became enforceable on May 25, 2018. Businesses are required to continuously adapt to regulatory updates from the European Data Protection Board (EDPB).

• Financial Penalties: Non-compliance can lead to fines up to €20 million or 4% of global annual revenue, whichever is higher.
• Legal Actions: GDPR violations expose organizations to lawsuits from affected individuals and enforcement actions by regulators.
• Reputational Damage: Publicized non-compliance can damage trust, particularly for businesses handling sensitive personal information.

• Enhanced Trust: GDPR compliance builds consumer confidence, demonstrating commitment to privacy.
• Improved Data Management: Adhering to GDPR encourages better organization and protection of data.
• Competitive Advantage: Businesses that comply with GDPR are often more appealing to privacy-consciouscustomers.