General Data Protection Regulation
The EU's comprehensive data privacy regulation
§ Overview
GDPR is the European Union's regulation on data protection and privacy. It applies to any organization that processes personal data of EU residents, regardless of where the organization is located. GDPR establishes strict requirements for data collection, storage, processing, and transfer, with significant penalties for non-compliance — up to 4% of global annual revenue or €20 million, whichever is higher.
§ Who needs this
Any organization that collects, stores, or processes personal data of EU residents — this includes most global SaaS companies, e-commerce platforms, marketing tools, and analytics providers. If you have EU customers or users, GDPR applies to you.
§ Key requirements
Lawful Basis for Processing
Identify and document a lawful basis (consent, contract, legal obligation, etc.) for every type of personal data processing your organization performs.
Data Subject Rights
Implement processes to handle data subject requests: right to access, rectification, erasure ('right to be forgotten'), portability, and objection to processing.
Privacy by Design & Default
Integrate data protection into all business processes and systems from the design phase. Minimize data collection to what's strictly necessary.
Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA)
Conduct DPIAs for high-risk processing activities. Document risks and mitigation measures.
Data Processing Agreements
Establish Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) with all third-party processors who handle personal data on your behalf.
Breach Notification
Notify supervisory authorities within 72 hours of discovering a personal data breach. Notify affected individuals if the breach poses high risk.
Data Protection Officer (DPO)
Appoint a DPO if required (public authorities, large-scale monitoring, or processing of sensitive data). Even if not required, consider designating a privacy lead.
§ Steps to compliance
Data Mapping
Map all personal data flows — what data you collect, where it's stored, how it's processed, who has access, and where it's transferred. This is the foundation.
Legal Basis Review
Review and document the lawful basis for each data processing activity. Update consent mechanisms where needed.
Privacy Policies & Notices
Update privacy policies, cookie notices, and data collection forms to meet GDPR transparency requirements.
Implement Data Subject Rights Processes
Build processes and tools to handle access requests, deletion requests, and data portability requests within required timeframes.
Vendor Assessment
Review all third-party vendors who process personal data. Establish or update Data Processing Agreements.
Security Measures
Implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures proportionate to the risk of your data processing.
Training & Documentation
Train all employees who handle personal data. Maintain records of processing activities as required by Article 30.
§ What you get
Legal compliance with EU data protection law
Ability to serve EU customers without legal risk
Reduced risk of regulatory fines (up to 4% of global revenue)
Improved customer trust through transparent data practices
Stronger data governance and security posture
Competitive advantage when selling to privacy-conscious customers