The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has transformed how personal data is handled, giving individuals greater control and ensuring organisations remain accountable for protecting that data. Whether you’re browsing online or sharing details with a company, GDPR ensures your rights are safeguarded in the digital age.

What Is GDPR?

The GDPR, introduced in May 2018, is a legal framework designed to protect the personal data and privacy of individuals within the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). It ensures that organisations handling personal data do so responsibly, with transparency and accountability at the forefront.

Key Aims of GDPR

Protect personal data: To ensure personal information is collected, stored, and processed securely.
Empower individuals: To give people greater control over their own data.
Ensure transparency: To make organisations more open about how they use personal information.
Accountability: To hold businesses and organisations accountable for breaches or misuse of data.

Protections and Rights GDPR Offers

Under GDPR, individuals are granted specific rights to protect their personal data. These include:

The right to be informed: Individuals have the right to know how their data is being used, why it is being collected, and who it is shared with. Organisations must provide clear and accessible privacy notices.
The right of access: Individuals can request access to the data an organisation holds about them and obtain a copy of it within one month of their request.
The right to rectification: If any of the data held is inaccurate or incomplete, individuals can request it be corrected or updated.
The right to erasure (‘Right to Be Forgotten’): Individuals can request their personal data be deleted if it is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.
The right to restrict processing: This allows individuals to limit how their data is used in certain circumstances (e.g., while accuracy disputes are being resolved).
The right to data portability: Individuals can request their data be transferred to another organisation in a structured, commonly used format.
The right to object: Individuals can object to their data being processed for certain purposes, such as direct marketing.
Rights related to automated decision-making: GDPR ensures individuals are not subject to decisions made solely by automated processes without meaningful human involvement.

How GDPR Protects Individuals Online

Organisations must obtain clear and affirmative consent before processing personal data, ensuring individuals fully understand how their information will be used. Websites are required to be transparent about data collected through cookies, informing users and obtaining their consent prior to use. In the event of a data breach, organisations are obligated to notify both affected individuals and the relevant authorities promptly. Additionally, organisations should adhere to the principle of data minimisation, collecting only the information necessary for specific purposes to reduce the risk of misuse.

What GDPR Means for Businesses and Organisations

Organisations are required to demonstrate accountability and compliance with GDPR by maintaining detailed records of their data-processing activities. Many are also obligated to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to oversee compliance efforts and act as a key point of contact for data protection matters. Failure to comply with GDPR can result in severe penalties, with fines reaching up to €20 million or 4% of annual global turnover, whichever is greater.

How You Can Take Control of Your Data

Understand your rights: Familiarise yourself with your GDPR rights and exercise them if necessary.
Be selective with data sharing: Only share personal information with trusted organisations.
Review privacy policies: Check how organisations handle your data before signing up or providing details.
Report breaches: If you suspect an organisation is misusing your data, report it to your national data protection authority (e.g., the ICO in the UK).

GDPR is not just a legal framework – it’s a tool designed to protect individuals in an increasingly digital world. By understanding your rights and taking proactive steps to safeguard your data, you can navigate the online world with greater confidence and security.

More Information

The Information Commissioner’s Office website 👉 https://ico.org.uk/

Our Data Protection and GDPR Awareness course 👉https://hsqe.co.uk/courses/data-protection-and-gdpr-awareness/

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Authors: Alex Nightingale & John Constable