ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some of the changes made by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and what impact they have on the regional and global levels. It addresses both the positive contribution and the practical and theoretical problem posed by the Regulation and provides a balanced overview of the changes made to personal data protection in the European Union (EU). The fast-paced technological developments have substantially increased the scope and extent of the collection and sharing of personal data. The protection of privacy in the digital era is increasingly difficult. People publish personal data through social media and internet services on a daily basis. The GDPR updates existing EU data protection law, in an effort to address some of the shortcomings of the preceding Data Protection Directive. The protection of personal data has long been a prominent issue in the EU. On a global level, the EU has been leading the way in protecting individuals from abuses connected to their personal data.
