Thanks to the new **General Data Protection Regulation** (GDPR), European citizens will have greater control over how their personal data is collected and used, and better protection in the event of a data breach.
GDPR acronym: General Data Protection Regulation
When you shop online, file your tax return, or connect to social media, you can now feel more secure about what happens to the personal information you provide, because the GDPR protects your fundamental rights, giving you control over how companies use your personal data and requiring them to implement new procedures to protect it.
What changes with GDPR for privacy
Tired of receiving advertisements for products and services you’re not interested in? You can ask to be removed from the marketing lists of the company sending them. Embarrassed by online content? It’s possible, under certain circumstances, to have it deleted. Want to change providers? You have the right to receive a copy of all your data from your old provider, to switch more easily to a new one. Stricter rules on data breaches also mean you must be informed if a breach puts your rights and freedoms at risk.
The new rules apply throughout the European Union, regardless of where data is processed and where the organization is based. They also apply to companies not based in the EU that offer services to European citizens. Whether you choose to buy “local” or shop from abroad, you will benefit from the same rights and protection.
Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Věra Jourová said: “The General Data Protection Regulation gives EU citizens more control over their personal data. The new rules ensure better protection of personal information, regardless of where it is sent, processed or stored, even outside the EU.”
Although the GDPR grants citizens specific rights, it is up to each individual to enforce them. If you believe your data protection rights have been violated, you can contact the organization holding your data directly; they are required to respond to your request promptly and free of charge. Furthermore, you have the right to file a complaint with the Personal Data Protection Authority, the national competent authority, or to take legal action.
GDPR websites: new rules for the digital age
The GDPR replaces the European data protection directive, adopted in 1995, long before the internet and cloud computing introduced new ways of processing personal data. Since then, the way we share and use data has changed radically, which is why the EU legislation needed to be amended and updated.
Every day, over 250 million European citizens use the internet. While online, users share vast amounts of personal data, such as their name, home address, ID number, and health information. In particular, 52% of Italians say they do so to access a general service, while 25%, the highest percentage in the EU, do so to get a service tailored to their needs, and 14% to receive customized offers.
Sharing personal information carries numerous potential risks, such as unauthorized disclosures, theft, or online identity theft. Just under eight out of ten Italians believe they do not have complete control over their personal data, while 6 out of 10 say they do not trust companies operating online.
Furthermore, 5 out of 10 Italians express concern about mobile phone apps collecting data without their consent, and more than 6 out of 10 citizens worry about how organizations might use the information disclosed.
What is the level of awareness of our rights? Looking at the Italian situation in detail, it’s concerning that only 31% of people (compared to an EU average of 37%) have heard of a public authority responsible for protecting citizens’ data protection rights. Additionally, only 37% of respondents would contact the data protection authority if necessary (compared to 67% of Finns); Italy is the only country where the majority of citizens would opt for legal action (46%).
Yet, personal data protection is not only a strong concern for many Europeans but also a fundamental right and must therefore be fully safeguarded. The General Data Protection Regulation addresses precisely this need.
Pubblicato in Digital Tools
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