The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data privacy law enacted by the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) to protect the personal data of individuals. It came into effect in the EU on May 25, 2018, and was retained in UK law after Brexit under the name “UK GDPR.” The regulation strengthens individual rights and imposes strict rules on organizations regarding the collection, processing, storage, and transfer of personal data.
Who does the GDPR apply to?
The GDPR applies to:
- Organizations based in the EU or UK, regardless of whether the data processing takes place within or outside the region.
- Organizations outside the EU and UK that offer goods or services to, or monitor the behavior of, individuals located in the EU or UK.
What are consumer rights under GDPR?
The GDPR empowers individuals with strong rights over their personal data. These include:
- Right to access – Individuals can request access to their personal data.
- Right to rectification – Individuals can correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Right to erasure (Right to be forgotten) – Individuals can request the deletion of their data.
- Right to restrict processing – Individuals can limit how their data is used.
- Right to data portability – Individuals can transfer their data to another service provider.
- Right to object – Individuals can object to data processing for specific reasons.
- Rights related to automated decision-making and profiling – Individuals have the right not to be subject to decisions based solely on automated processing.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with the GDPR?
Non-compliance with the GDPR can result in significant penalties. Organizations may face:
- Fines of up to €20 million or 4% of global annual turnover (whichever is higher) for severe violations.
- Lesser fines of up to €10 million or 2% of global annual turnover for other infringements.
- Reputational damage and loss of customer trust.
Is the GDPR applicable only in the EU & UK?
No. While the GDPR is a law enacted by the EU and adopted by the UK, it has extraterritorial reach. This means it applies to any organization, anywhere in the world, that handles personal data of individuals located in the EU or UK. The aim is to ensure consistent protection of personal data regardless of where the data processor or controller is located.
How does Consentise help with GDPR compliance?
Consentise is designed to help organizations comply with GDPR requirements by:
- Managing user consent in a transparent and customizable way.
- Ensuring compliance across multiple domains and subdomains.
- Respecting regional regulations, displaying consent banners only where legally required.
- Providing accurate consent records for audits and legal compliance.
- Supporting multiple languages and user interfaces for a global audience.
By using Consentise, your business takes a proactive step towards building trust and meeting the strict obligations of the GDPR.