The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the most important change in data protection legislation of the last 20 years. When it is finally activated on May 25, 2018, it will give European citizens control their own personal data. Its impact will not only be felt in Europe, but will have many implications for companies around the world that store data in the European continent.

What is GDPR?

GDPR is a new regulation on privacy and security of personal data regulated by the European Commission. The new data protection will implement important changes in Europe's privacy legislation. It will also replace the obsolete data protection rule of 1995.

What is the purpose of the new laws?

They were written to give the citizen power over their own data and how they are processed and used.

According to new rules, people have the "right to oblivion." This means that they can ask companies to delete their data that are no longer necessary or correct. Regulations also want to simplify the legal framework.

How will people affect people?

In addition to the right to oblivion, the legislation also contains means that give users more rights over their own data.

However, there is a whole gray zone on how it will be done in reality. The new laws allow someone, in theory, can ask social networks such as Facebook to eliminate their full profile, however, the process by which people can apply laws in this type of case are not yet clear. >

and despite the fact that the new laws appeal to a "right to be forgotten", the laws on freedom of expression will ensure that it does not apply to the news. In addition, the user can transfer their data to another service more easily. And this is ideal for consumers because it is now easier to change between electricity and water suppliers, insurance companies or internet suppliers.

What is the impact on companies?

This new legislation, therefore, is good for consumers, but will also imply larger fines for cases that do not comply with these laws. This is because data infractions have occurred more and more frequently in recent years. But giving consumers control over their data is not so simple.

In addition, find out how to maintain and use the data safely, as well as erase them effectively becomes a technical and human resources mines field.

How much will this cost?

The most important change to legislation is the increase in the fine legislators can impose if they are not fulfilled - up to 4% of its world's world business volume - whatever greater.

This threat is certainly large enough for many companies to adjust the way they handle the data.

What are the possible consequences?

Once GDPR is activated, companies will receive more legal challenges from individuals and groups that take care of the privacy of those citizens. But they can also receive fewer challenges from the individual legislative powers of the countries involved thanks to the "single window" clause that restricts the legislator in the country where the company is located.