{"id":2028,"date":"2023-06-06T14:29:57","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T11:29:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.byteplant.com\/blog\/?p=2028"},"modified":"2024-05-08T10:35:36","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T07:35:36","slug":"why-is-gdpr-important","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.byteplant.com\/blog\/why-is-gdpr-important\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is GDPR Important?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The issue of data privacy both offline and on the internet has been becoming more and more acute over the years. Cybercriminals have been on the hunt for private data to steal identities, initiate cyberattacks, ask for ransom, and much more. Even credible companies that use private data strictly for targeted marketing become victims of data breaches and unwittingly hand this type of information to threat actors.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why it was important to regulate data privacy at the highest levels. While data protection laws have existed for over 20 years, many of them were no longer applicable to the fast-growing technological environment. That\u2019s why, in 2016, the European Union issued a major data protection directive called the General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR.<\/span><\/p>\n

This 160-page long document contains a set of laws and regulations applicable to managing private data. If any of your clients are citizens of the European Union, your business must comply with GDPR. Otherwise, it can face significant fines.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look at General Data Protection Regulation and its importance for your business.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is GDPR?<\/b><\/h2>\n

GDPR is a set of laws that regulate the use of personal data online and offline. If your business works with the personal data of European Union residents, it must comply with all the provisions listed in this data protection directive. These regulations apply to businesses of all types and sizes as well as governments. Non-compliance with GDPR clauses could lead to significant fines. Depending on the severity of the violation, the case could end up in court and cause serious damage to the company\u2019s reputation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Companies, governments, individuals, and anyone else who handles personal data can be working from outside the EU. However, as long as at least one of your clients is a citizen of the European Union, the relevant data protection law applies.<\/span><\/p>\n

GDPR is a long and complex document that requires careful studying. A minor mistake could cost a company thousands of dollars in fines.<\/span><\/p>\n

Personal Data<\/b><\/h3>\n

GDPR revolves around the concept of personal data.<\/span> The <\/span>European Commission<\/span><\/a> defines personal data as information related to identified or identifiable persons. If a piece of data can play a role in identifying a certain individual, it\u2019s personal data.<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of sensitive personal data include:<\/span><\/p>\n