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1-786-885-5165General Data Protection Regulation
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the European Union’s landmark privacy law that governs how organizations collect, process, and store personal data.
Enforced since May 25, 2018, it replaced the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC and set the global standard for protecting user privacy and giving individuals more control over their personal information.
The GDPR applies to any organization worldwide that handles the data of EU citizens even if that business is not physically located in the European Union. If you process, monitor, or store personal information about EU residents, GDPR compliance is not optional it’s legally required.
Today, digital trust defines brand reputation. The GDPR strengthens that trust by ensuring transparency, accountability, and user consent in every stage of data handling. It requires organizations to demonstrate privacy by design, maintain lawful bases for data processing, and ensure individuals can access, correct, or erase their data.
Failure to meet GDPR requirements can result in massive fines and reputational damage. Global companies such as Meta, Amazon, and Google have already faced multimillion euro penalties for noncompliance proving that enforcement is real and expanding.
You must comply with the GDPR if your business:
Whether you’re a U.S. company selling online, a SaaS provider, or a data processor working with European clients, GDPR obligations still apply.
👉 Learn more about our GDPR Data Mapping and Consent Management Services.
GDPR compliance revolves around seven fundamental principles that guide all data handling activities:
You must clearly state why and how you process personal data.
Data should be collected only for legitimate, specific purposes.
Gather only the information absolutely necessary for those purposes.
Personal data must be kept accurate and up to date.
Do not retain data longer than needed.
Protect data through robust security controls.
Be able to demonstrate compliance through documentation and evidence.
👉 For deeper insights into data security, explore our Security and Privacy Solutions.
The EU’s Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) enforce GDPR standards. Fines for violations are severe:
Penalties are often accompanied by mandatory audits, public disclosure, and longterm reputational harm. For multinational businesses, failing to comply with GDPR can also trigger crossborder restrictions and loss of customer confidence.
While the GDPR is an EU regulation, it has inspired similar laws around the world such as CCPA/CPRA in California and PIPEDA in Canada. For businesses expanding internationally, aligning your practices with GDPR ensures smoother compliance across multiple jurisdictions and builds global trust.
👉 Explore our MultiJurisdiction Privacy Compliance Solutions.
This page details the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the EU's privacy law that applies globally if an organization processes the data of EU citizens. It highlights seven core principles (Lawfulness, Purpose Limitation, Data Minimization, Accuracy, Storage Limitation, Integrity/Confidentiality, and Accountability) and notes that severe fines can reach up to €20 million or 4% of global annual revenue for major violations, making compliance a necessity for global digital trust.
We simplify GDPR readiness and embed privacy into your digital strategy.
Protect your business from massive fines and ensure full compliance with the EU's strict privacy regulations.
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