August 9, 2025
2 min read
The seven principles of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) serve as the foundation for data protection compliance within the European Union. The principles are:
Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency: Personal data must be processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently. This implies that processing activities require either individual consent or must be justified by legitimate interests. According to Voigt and Von dem Bussche (2017), this principle ensures that individuals are informed and their rights respected throughout data handling.
Purpose limitation: Data collection should be confined to specific, explicit, and legitimate purposes. Usage beyond these purposes is prohibited unless further consent is obtained. This principle restricts scope creep in data processing operations, thus protecting individual privacy.
Data minimisation: Only data that is adequate, relevant, and strictly necessary should be collected and processed. This reduces unnecessary exposure of personal information and aligns with principles of privacy by design.
Accuracy: Data controllers must ensure that personal data is accurate and kept current. Inaccurate or outdated data must be rectified or erased without delay to prevent harm or misinformed decision-making.
Storage limitation: Personal data should not be retained longer than necessary for the stated purposes. This principle mandates the implementation of retention schedules and secure deletion protocols to minimize risks from prolonged data storage.
Integrity and confidentiality: Technical and organizational measures must protect personal data against unauthorized access, accidental loss, or destruction. Encryption, access controls, and regular security audits are typical safeguards fulfilling this requirement.
Accountability: Organizations bear responsibility for GDPR compliance and must demonstrate adherence through documentation, policies, and regular audits. This principle enforces a proactive stance on data protection rather than reactive compliance.
Together, these principles form a coherent framework emphasizing respect for individual rights and organizational responsibility. The practical application of these principles necessitates a combination of legal compliance, technical controls, and ongoing governance mechanisms. The literature confirms that adherence to these principles significantly reduces privacy risks and enhances trust between data subjects and controllers (Tikkinen-Piri et al., 2018).
