What is the overall goal of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?

The overall goal of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is to ensure that companies operating within the European Union (EU) protect the privacy and personal data of EU citizens. GDPR establishes a comprehensive framework that governs how personal data should be collected, stored, processed, and shared. It aims to give individuals more control over their personal information and sets strict penalties for non-compliance, thus ensuring higher standards of data protection across EU member states.

The regulation emphasizes transparency, accountability, and the need for companies to have a legitimate reason for processing personal data, thereby fostering trust between consumers and organizations. This focus on personal data protection aligns with a growing global concern for privacy rights in the digital age, where personal data is frequently exploited for various purposes.