GDPR Compliance, Automated

GDPR is built on seven core principles: lawfulness, fairness and transparency; purpose limitation; data minimisation; accuracy; storage limitation; integrity and confidentiality; and accountability. Every processing activity must demonstrably comply with all seven.

Every personal data processing operation requires a valid lawful basis: consent, contractual necessity, legal obligation, vital interests, public interest, or legitimate interests. Organizations must identify and document the lawful basis before processing begins.

Where consent is the lawful basis, it must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous. Controllers must be able to demonstrate consent was given, and data subjects can withdraw consent at any time. Special rules apply to children’s data.

Individuals have the right to access, rectification, erasure (‘right to be forgotten’), restriction of processing, data portability, objection, and protections against automated decision-making. Responses are due within one month.

Organizations carrying out large-scale monitoring or processing special categories of data must appoint a Data Protection Officer. The DPO oversees compliance, advises on DPIAs, and acts as the contact point for supervisory authorities.

A DPIA is mandatory when processing is likely to result in a high risk to individuals — including profiling, large-scale special category data processing, and systematic public monitoring. The assessment must be documented before processing begins.

Controllers and processors must maintain a written record of all processing activities, including purposes, data categories, recipients, transfers, retention periods, and technical/organizational security measures.

Personal data breaches must be reported to the supervisory authority within 72 hours of becoming aware. If the breach is likely to result in high risk to individuals, they must also be notified without undue delay.

Transfers of personal data outside the EEA are restricted unless the destination ensures adequate protection. Mechanisms include adequacy decisions, Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), Binding Corporate Rules, and Transfer Impact Assessments.

Supervisory authorities can impose fines of up to €20 million or 4% of annual global turnover, whichever is higher. Lower-tier infringements carry fines up to €10 million or 2% of revenue. Enforcement is active — over €4 billion in fines issued to date.