As we celebrate the five-year anniversary of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on May 25th, it is time to reflect on the impact of this landmark European Union privacy law. The GDPR aimed to safeguard people’s rights and freedoms when companies handle their personal data. Let’s examine whether the GDPR has truly ushered in a new era of privacy-focused regulation.
Why GDPR Came About
We are all data. Our names, phone numbers, emails and our characteristics have become data. Protecting our personal information is crucial, as it is being used for many purposes. Before GDPR, most people didn’t know what data was being collected about them, how it was used, or if it was shared with others.
The European Union created the GDPR to give its citizens more say over their personal data and make organizations responsible for managing that data. The law sets guidelines for collecting, processing, and protecting personal data and applies to all organizations working with EU citizens’ data, no matter where they’re located.
One major benefit of the GDPR for businesses is the uniformity it brings across the European Union. Since all member states follow the same regulation, it simplifies the process for companies operating in multiple countries within the EU. This harmonized approach helps businesses save time and resources by reducing the need to navigate diverse data protection laws in different jurisdictions.
The uniformity of GDPR across the EU means that citizens enjoy the same data rights no matter which member state they are in. This consistency not only simplifies understanding and exercising their data rights but also ensures that these rights are upheld to the same high standard across the Union.
GDPR’s Promises
The first step of data protection is data awareness. Increasing effort has made individuals aware of the data they produce, and often (un)knowingly share with organizations across the globe. Often businesses that obtain data, process it or even sell it to third parties.
Thanks to GDPR, organizations now are obliged to give individuals access to their personal data, so they can find out how these companies are using it. They have the right to get a copy of their data, know why it’s being processed, and learn who it is shared with. Organizations must provide this information in a clear, easy-to-understand way and respond to requests within a reasonable time. This level of transparency lets people take control of their personal data and keeps companies on their toes.
Organizations must not only share the data they have on people, but they also need to keep it secure. They’re responsible for protecting data from unauthorized access, leaks, and destruction. Since GDPR came into the picture, organizations have been reporting data breaches more frequently and letting affected individuals know as required.
GDPR has become the global standard for data protection. Many countries have adopted similar laws, leading to a greater focus on data protection as a human right and helping to create a global framework for protecting personal data.
What’s Next on the Horizon?
While GDPR has achieved many of its goals, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. One big criticism is that it’s put a ton of pressure on businesses to comply with complex rules. Getting on board with GDPR took a lot of time and resources, from reviewing data processing activities and updating policies to training Data Protection Officers and preparing for data access requests.
So, what can be done to make GDPR even better? While GDPR has given supervisory authorities plenty of power to enforce data protection rules, some people think they’re not using these powers effectively.
Authorities like the ICO in the UK, CNIL in France, and AP in the Netherlands often lack the expertise and resources to do their jobs effectively. This can lead to poor investigations, inconsistent enforcement, slow response times, and a lack of guidance and support.
What the EU should do next is make sure these authorities have the resources and support they need to enforce GDPR and protect people’s data rights effectively. This could involve providing more funding, improving training programs, and encouraging collaboration between supervisory authorities across member states.
In Conclusion
To sum it up, GDPR has undoubtedly changed the game when it comes to privacy-focused regulation. However, there’s still work to be done to make sure it’s enforced effectively and to strengthen data protection even more.
At BPM Power, we understand the complexities of GDPR compliance and are here to help businesses navigate this privacy-focused landscape. Our expert team offers tailored solutions, guidance, and support to ensure your organization stays compliant and keeps personal data secure. Don’t let GDPR challenges hold your business back; contact BPM Power today, and let us be your trusted partner in data protection and privacy management.
