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The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Economic Area (EEA). It was implemented to give individuals more control over their personal data and to simplify the regulatory environment for international business by unifying the regulation within the EU.

One of the key principles of the GDPR is that companies must obtain explicit consent from individuals before collecting their personal data. This means that companies must clearly explain why they are collecting the data, how it will be used, and how long it will be stored. Individuals also have the right to access their data, request corrections, and even request that their data be deleted.

The GDPR also requires companies to implement measures to protect personal data from breaches and unauthorized access. This includes encrypting data, regularly updating security measures, and conducting risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities.

Failure to comply with the GDPR can result in hefty fines, with penalties of up to €20 million or 4% of annual global turnover, whichever is higher. This has led many companies to invest in compliance measures to avoid facing these fines.

For individuals, the GDPR has brought about increased transparency and control over their personal data. They now have the right to know what data is being collected about them, who it is being shared with, and for what purpose. This has empowered individuals to make more informed decisions about their privacy and data security.

Overall, the GDPR has had a significant impact on data protection and privacy rights in the EU. It has forced companies to take data protection more seriously and has given individuals more control over their personal information. While compliance with the GDPR can be challenging, it is ultimately a step in the right direction towards a more secure and transparent digital environment.