GDPR: Making improved data protection a reality

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into full force tomorrow (25 May) marking the largest change in data protection law Europe has ever seen. Discussions began six years ago and attracted high attention from a multitude of stakeholders due to its broad impact on Europe’s and even the world’s digital economy.

BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said: “Europe is leading the way to set the global gold standard for data protection, but today is just the beginning. We now need to see real follow-up by national regulators to ensure harmonised application of these rules.”

BusinessEurope supports the GDPR’s intentions to create a harmonised approach to EU data protection and improve compliance across Europe. But the nature of the text presents Europe with challenges of possible inconsistencies or problematic trends. Overall, we aim to pursue business-friendly application while avoiding interpretation that is not sufficiently balanced or adds disproportionate burdens.

Beyrer added: “Businesses are highly concerned with GDPR compliance. We need national authorities to explain how they will apply these rules and how this will impact businesses' day-to-day operations. As many have been preparing tirelessly, we now expect that administrations pragmatically cooperate with businesses, in order to bring this data protection sea change into reality.”