The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data protection law in the European Union that came into effect on May 25, 2018. It aims to enhance individuals' control over their personal data and simplify the regulatory environment for international business by unifying data protection laws across Europe. GDPR establishes strict guidelines for the collection, storage, and processing of personal information. It grants individuals rights such as access to their data, the right to be forgotten, and the right to data portability, ensuring that personal data is handled transparently and securely by organizations.