We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Technology

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Data Protection Directive?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,491
Share

The Data Protection Directive is an act of legislature passed by the European Union in 1995 to create a framework for protecting privacy and securing identifying information when collecting, handling, and processing data. Under the directive, members of the European Union were required to implement laws to support the directive by 1998. The purpose of the Data Protection Directive was to address privacy concerns, as well as human rights issues surrounding the use of data, a concern among some EU members where right to privacy is considered an important social and human right.

Known officially as Directive 95/46/EC on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, the Data Protection Directive is designed to standardize and harmonize procedures in place for safeguarding data across the European Union. People are not allowed to process personal data without the consent of the party involved, people have the right to access their own data and correct errors, and data cannot be abused or used without the consent of the person it concerns.

A number of different types of data, including identifications and bank account numbers, are covered under this directive. Protection of private data became an especially large concern with the advent of online systems for activities like payment processing and data submission. Such systems had the potential for abuse and compromise, and creating laws to protect electronic data was an important aspect of protecting the privacy and security of individuals living in the European Union.

In addition to discussing the processing of data within the European Union, the Data Protection Directive also covers disclosure of data to countries outside the region. This is designed to limit the unauthorized dissemination of information about EU citizens and to increase data security. Companies working with people in the European Union must demonstrate that they have adequate protections in place to secure the data and prevent it from being abused. A common situation where this comes up is with airlines, where carriers must protect information about passengers for safety and security.

Like other acts of legislature developed in the European Union, this document creates definitions and sets standards designed to be applied by all European Union members. The Data Protection Directive was developed with input from legislators across the European Union, as well as privacy advocates, attorneys, and other consultants with information about data processing and the associated privacy concerns.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-the-data-protection-directive.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.