What is GDPR and How It Protects Your Data

The GDPR, acronym for General Data Protection Regulation, is the regulation on the protection of personal data that came into force in the European Union on 25 May 2018. Its main objective is to ensure greater transparency in the processing of personal data and to offer users greater control over the information they share with companies and organizations. This regulation applies not only to companies based in the EU, but also to all those that process data of European citizens, regardless of their location.

The GDPR is based on some fundamental principles, including transparency, purpose limitation, data minimization, and security. Companies must collect only the information that is strictly necessary, inform users about its use and ensure adequate security measures to protect them from unauthorized access or violations. In addition, the regulation introduces the concept of explicit consent, requiring companies to obtain clear and unambiguous authorization for the processing of personal data.

One of the key aspects of the GDPR is the right of users to access, modify or delete their data. Thanks to the right to be forgotten, an individual can request the deletion of their information when it is no longer needed or when consent is revoked. In addition, the regulation requires companies to report any data breaches within 72 hours, reducing the risk of misuse of personal information.

In the United States, however, data protection follows a more fragmented approach, with different laws depending on the state or industry. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is one of the regulations most similar to the GDPR, offering California residents the right to know what data is being collected, to deny the sale of their information and to request its cancellation. However, at the federal level, there is no single data protection law, leaving large margins of discretion for companies.

For companies that operate internationally, complying with the GDPR and American privacy regulations is essential to avoid sanctions and to build a relationship of trust with customers. Compliance is not only a legal obligation, but also an opportunity to demonstrate transparency and accountability in the use of personal data. With increasing concerns about online privacy and security, companies that adopt strong data protection policies can stand out from the competition and strengthen their reputation in the global market.