The EU’s flagship data protection law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), celebrated its sixth anniversary on 25th May ‘24. Since coming into effect in 2018, its stringent requirements for enhanced security controls and data privacy have consistently raised awareness about the issues surrounding the storage and processing of personal data. This regulation has set a global benchmark, becoming a model for regulators worldwide.
The GDPR was designed to protect individuals’ fundamental rights and freedoms, especially their right to personal data protection. As internet usage became more widespread, the EU Parliament recognised the need for updated guidelines to adapt to a more connected world where data is the common currency. Consequently, the GDPR was created to replace the 1995 Data Protection Directive used across various European countries.
In the past six years, €4.5 billion has been paid in GDPR violation fines, according to research by Nordlayer. Spain, Italy, and Germany have imposed the largest fines. Since the GDPR came into effect, individual data protection authorities (DPAs) have issued 2,072 violation decisions. Spain holds the worst record, with 842 fines totaling €80 million (£68.16 million) since 2018.
Compliance has been an uphill struggle for many organisations, but its impact in helping individuals manage their data better and holding organisations accountable for data mishandling cannot be overstated. The GDPR has reshaped how we manage data, enforcing a much-needed prioritisation of privacy rights. But what does the industry think about its impact, and what does the future hold?
We asked industry experts for their opinions, and here is what they said:
Benjamin Martin, Managing Consultant at Adarma: “On May 25, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will celebrate its sixth anniversary. As we reflect on this milestone, we must consider the new challenges and heightened interest in how recent AI ..
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