Overview

This article outlines the core principles for processing personal data to ensure compliance with GDPR. Personal data must be processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently, with clear purpose limitation, data minimization, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.


Key Principles

  • Lawfulness, Fairness, and Transparency: Data processing must comply with legal requirements and be transparent to data subjects.

  • Purpose Limitation: Personal data must be collected for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes only.

  • Data Minimization: Only collect data that is necessary for the intended purpose.

  • Accuracy: Keep personal data accurate and up to date.

  • Storage Limitation: Retain data only as long as necessary.

  • Integrity and Confidentiality: Ensure security against unauthorized access, loss, or damage.

  • Accountability: Organizations must demonstrate compliance with GDPR principles.

Organizational Applicability

This article applies to all organizations that process personal data, provided the processing falls within the EU’s jurisdiction:

  • Organizations collecting, storing, or using personal data of EU/EEA data subjects.

  • Public and private sector entities that act as controllers or processors.

  • Teams responsible for data governance, compliance, IT, and operational processes.

Implementation Requirements

  • Implement policies and procedures to enforce all GDPR principles.

  • Establish data governance frameworks to monitor lawful processing, purpose limitation, and minimization.

  • Maintain records of processing activities demonstrating compliance.

  • Apply technical and organizational measures to ensure accuracy, integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.

Implementation Guidance

  • Conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for high-risk processing activities.

  • Use access controls, encryption, and logging to protect data integrity and confidentiality.

  • Regularly review data retention schedules to comply with storage limitation principles.

  • Train staff to understand and apply GDPR principles in daily operations.

Periodic Review

  • Frequency: Annually or after significant changes in processing activities or regulations.

  • Responsible Role: Data Protection Officer (DPO) or Compliance Team.

  • Outcome: Ensure continuous alignment with GDPR principles, update policies, and maintain compliance evidence.

Non-Compliance Risks

  • Fines: Up to €20 million or 4% of global annual turnover.

  • Legal Exposure: Enforcement actions, data subject complaints, or lawsuits.

  • Operational Risks: Misuse of personal data, inefficient processing, or data breaches.

  • Reputational Damage: Loss of trust from customers, partners, and regulators.