Why was GDPR introduced?

The GDPR was introduced to strengthen the European Union’s privacy landscape by providing comprehensive data privacy rights to EU residents. It replaces the outdated Data Protection Directive from 1995 and adapts to the changing digital landscape. It was designed to align with current technologies and practices.

The previous data protection law was complex and involved multiple legal frameworks, particularly for cross-border activities. The GDPR simplifies this by establishing common guidelines, thereby streamlining operations.

Since its enforcement on May 25, 2018, it has become a prominent privacy standard, serving as an inspiration for many other data protection laws worldwide.