Spotlight On Data Privacy

Seven Years of GDPR: A Milestone in Global Data Protection As we mark 7th year since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force on May 25, 2018, it is clear that the regulation has left an indelible mark on the global data protection landscape. Over these seven years, enforcement has matured significantly. Supervisory authorities across the EU have moved from raising awareness to imposing substantial fines, holding even the world’s most powerful tech companies accountable. These enforcement actions are not merely punitive, they reflect a broader shift towards transparency, accountability, and respect for data subjects' rights. Biggest Ever Data Breach Fine Under GDPR The largest fine ever issued under the GDPR was a staggering €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion), imposed on Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd. in May 2023. This record-breaking penalty underscores the robust enforcement of GDPR and the growing importance of data privacy in the digital age.