DataProtection

Dataprotection refers to the practices, policies, and technologies that aim to safeguard personal data throughout its lifecycle, from collection and use to storage, sharing, and eventual deletion. It emphasizes protecting individuals' privacy and preventing misuse or unauthorized access to information.

Core principles common to many frameworks include lawfulness, fairness, and transparency; purpose limitation; data minimization; accuracy; storage limitation; integrity and confidentiality; and accountability. Organizations are expected to implement measures that match the data’s sensitivity and the risks involved.

Key roles include the data subject, whose rights are protected; the data controller, which determines the purposes and means of processing; and the data processor, which processes data on behalf of the controller. Data subjects generally have rights such as access, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, data portability, and objection, including against automated decision making.

Regulatory landscapes vary by jurisdiction but share a focus on protecting personal data. The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is influential globally. Other examples include the California Consumer Privacy Act (and CPRA), Canada's PIPEDA, Brazil's LGPD, Singapore's PDPA, and sectoral rules like the US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Practices commonly include data governance, risk assessment, privacy impact assessments, and privacy by design. Technical measures such as encryption, access controls, and secure storage are paired with administrative controls like audits, vendor management, and employee training. When incidents occur, breach notification and remediation are required in many regimes, and transfers across borders may require safeguards such as standard contractual clauses or adequacy decisions.

Compliance is overseen by supervisory authorities in many jurisdictions, which may impose penalties for violations. Effective dataprotection requires ongoing monitoring, updates to policies, and alignment with evolving legal and technological developments.