What Are Personal Data [GDPR]?
Personal data refers to all information concerning an identified or identifiable individual, who is referred to as the data subject. Personal data includes information such as:
- Name
- Address
- ID/passport number
- Income
- Cultural profile
- Internet Protocol (IP) address
- Data held by hospitals or doctors (solely for the purpose of identifying individuals for medical reasons).
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) constitutes a significant legislative framework governing the protection of personal data in the European Union. Introduced in 2018, its aim is to give citizens more control over their personal data and to strengthen their rights regarding the processing of such data by businesses and organizations.
Scope:
GDPR applies to all companies and organizations processing personal data of EU citizens, regardless of their location. This means that even companies located outside the EU must comply with GDPR if they process data of EU citizens.
European Data Protection: A Coherent Legislative Approach:
The GDPR represents a unified legal framework that applies directly to all EU member states. This means that all companies and organizations processing personal data of EU citizens must comply with GDPR requirements, regardless of their location or nationality. This harmonized approach ensures consistent protection of individuals’ personal data across the EU, enhancing public trust in the security of their information. Additionally, the regulation imposes significant fines for breaches to ensure serious compliance with data protection rules. Thus, GDPR is not just a legislative regulation but a significant tool for protecting privacy and rights in the digital age.
Protection of Data Beyond the EU Borders:
The extraterritorial scope of GDPR marks a significant development in data protection, extending the law’s applicability beyond the EU borders. This means that companies and organizations outside the EU must comply with GDPR if they process data of individuals within the EU or monitor their behavior. This results in the obligation to appoint a representative in the EU by companies outside the EU, while also strengthening data protection and individuals’ rights. This approach creates a unified data protection framework, enhancing public trust in data privacy and digital security.
Information from: Europa.eu, niriis.gr
