The volume of data being produced worldwide is growing rapidly. It is expected to grow from 33 zettabytes, i.e. 1021 bytes or one thousand billion gigabytes, in 2018, to 175 zettabytes in 2025. The datafication of everyday life and data scandals have made the protection of personal information an increasingly important social, legal and political matter for the EU. In recent years, awareness of data rights and expectations for EU action in this area have both grown considerably. The right to privacy and the right to protection of personal data are both enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and in the EU Treaties. The entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009 gave the Charter the same legal value as the Treaties and abolished the pillar structure, providing a stronger basis for a more effective and comprehensive EU data protection regime. ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - The future challenges of EU data protection