What does GDPR stand for and what is its primary purpose?

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation, which is a comprehensive legal framework that governs data protection and privacy for individuals within the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). Its primary purpose is to give individuals more control over their personal data and to streamline regulatory environments for international business by providing a uniform standard for data protection laws across EU member states.

The GDPR emphasizes principles such as data minimization, the right to be forgotten, and the need for explicit consent to process personal data. By protecting personal data, the regulation aims to uphold the privacy rights of individuals, ensuring that their information is collected, processed, and stored in a secure and lawful manner. This regulation not only enhances transparency in how personal data is handled but also imposes strict obligations on organizations that collect and process such data, thereby reinforcing the significance of data privacy in today's digital landscape.