Important Facts About European Data Privacy Laws
The European privacy laws that govern data flow within and outside the EU region are currently the world's most powerful data protection framework. Respect for private life and personal data protection is recognized in Articles 7 and 8 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Extraterritorial applicability, conditionalities for personal data transfers, and multilateral treaties have helped spread European data protection laws worldwide. It is uncertain, however, if the EU will continue to act as a global data regulator.
The European Union's data privacy landscape comprises two of the most prominent EU privacy laws: the ePrivacy Directive (ePD) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The ePrivacy Regulation aims to replace the ePrivacy Directive, which, among other things, demands the end user's consent for the use of cookies and tracking technology.
The growing adoption of data protection laws through the establishment of highly independent data protection authorities compels the need for data protection officers. Presently, the EU privacy regulations have built a data privacy landscape that website owners worldwide must adhere to if they provide services to the EU.