GDPR fine

A fine under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a financial penalty imposed by the supervisory authorities on companies or organizations that have violated the provisions of the GDPR.

The GDPR is a comprehensive data protection law of the European Union that aims to ensure the privacy and protection of personal data of EU citizens.

Fines are an important tool for enforcing the GDPR and promoting compliance with data protection regulations.

How are fines determined under the GDPR?

• Severity of the breach: The amount of the fine depends on the severity of the breach. Serious breaches such as inadequate security measures or non-compliance with the data protection rights of data subjects can lead to higher fines.
• Company size and finances: The financial resources of the company as well as the size of the company will be taken into account when determining the fine to ensure that the penalty is proportionate and dissuasive.
• Cooperation with the supervisory authority: Companies that are cooperative and take action to rectify the breach can claim mitigating circumstances that can have a positive impact on the amount of the fine.
• Repeated infringements: Repeated infringements of the GDPR can lead to higher fines.

Maximum limits for GDPR fines

• up to €10 million or 2% of annual global turnover: For breaches of certain GDPR requirements, such as inadequate security measures or non-compliance with record-keeping and reporting obligations.
• Up to €20 million or 4% of annual global turnover: For more serious breaches, such as violating the basic principles of personal data processing or the rights of data subjects.

Avoidance of fines

• GDPR compliance: To avoid fines, companies should ensure that they comply with all GDPR requirements, including lawful processing of personal data, ensuring data protection by design and by default, and properly documenting and reporting data protection incidents.
• Regular reviews: Organizations should regularly review and adjust their data protection practices to ensure that they comply with current regulations.
• Training and awareness: Employees should receive regular training to raise awareness of data protection issues and ensure that all processes comply with legal requirements.