European Union data governance & protection regulation Flashcards
What is GDPR?
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a legal framework that sets guidelines for
the collection and processing of personal information from individuals who live in the European Union (EU).
It was designed to give individuals greater control over their personal data and to simplify the regulatory
environment for international business by unifying data protection laws across all EU member states. GDPR
introduces strict rules for organizations that collect, process, or store personal data, with significant
penalties for non-compliance, including fines of up to 4% of global annual revenue or €20 million, whichever is higher.
When was GDPR enacted?
The GDPR was formally adopted on April 27, 2016, but its enforcement began on
May 25, 2018. Organizations were given a two-year transition period to prepare for compliance with the new
regulations. The adoption of GDPR marked a significant shift in data protection laws, replacing previous
regulations with more comprehensive and stringent requirements. It was designed to address modern challenges
in digital privacy and ensure the protection of personal data in an increasingly interconnected world.
What does GDPR replace?
GDPR replaced the 1995 Data Protection Directive (Directive 95/46/EC), which was
previously the main framework governing data protection in the EU. The 1995 Directive allowed each EU country to
implement its own data protection laws, leading to inconsistencies across member states. GDPR, on the other hand,
is a regulation rather than a directive, meaning it applies directly to all EU member states without the need
for national legislation. This harmonization of data protection laws ensures a unified standard for privacy and
security across the EU.
What is the main objective of GDPR?
The main objective of GDPR is to protect the personal data and privacy
rights of individuals in the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). It aims to give individuals
greater control over their personal data by providing rights such as access, correction, deletion, and data
portability. GDPR also seeks to ensure transparency in how personal data is collected, stored, and processed by
organizations. By enforcing strict compliance measures and imposing heavy fines for violations, GDPR encourages
businesses to adopt strong data protection practices, thereby enhancing consumer trust and safeguarding against
data breaches and misuse of personal information.
Who does GDPR apply to?
GDPR applies to any organization, regardless of location, that processes the personal
data of individuals residing in the EU or EEA. This includes businesses, governments, non-profits, and any other
entities that collect, store, or use personal information of EU citizens. The regulation applies not only to
organizations established within the EU but also to those outside the EU if they offer goods or services to, or
monitor the behavior of, EU data subjects. This extraterritorial scope ensures that companies worldwide must comply
with GDPR requirements if they engage with EU customers, making GDPR one of the most comprehensive and influential
data protection laws globally.
What is ‘personal data’ under GDPR?
Personal data refers to any information related to an identifiable person, such as name, email, IP address.
What is ‘processing’ in GDPR?
Processing includes collecting, storing, using, transferring, or deleting personal data.
What is ‘data subject’?
A data subject is an individual whose personal data is collected, held, or processed.
What is a ‘data controller’?
An entity that determines the purposes and means of processing personal data.
What is a ‘data processor’?
An entity that processes personal data on behalf of a data controller.
What is ‘consent’ under GDPR?
Consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous.
What is the ‘right to access’?
Individuals can request access to their personal data held by an organization.
What is the ‘right to be forgotten’?
Individuals can request the deletion of their personal data under certain conditions.
What is the ‘right to data portability’?
Individuals can request their data in a structured format and transfer it to another provider.
What is the ‘right to object’?
Individuals can object to data processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.
What is the ‘right to rectification’?
Individuals can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
What is the ‘right to restrict processing’?
Individuals can request limitation on processing of their data under certain conditions.
What is a ‘data protection impact assessment’ (DPIA)?
A process to identify and minimize data protection risks.
What is the role of a ‘Data Protection Officer’ (DPO)?
A DPO ensures GDPR compliance within an organization.
What are ‘special category data’?
Sensitive data like racial origin, health, biometrics, and political opinions.
What is ‘pseudonymization’?
Processing data in a way that it cannot be attributed to a specific person without additional information.
What is ‘profiling’?
Automated processing of personal data to analyze or predict aspects of an individual.
What is ‘automated decision-making’?
Decisions made by automated means without human involvement.
What is a ‘data breach’?
A security incident leading to unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss of personal data.