Understanding Article 1 of GDPR
GDPR subject-matter
Article 1 of GDPR outlines the subject-matter and objectives of GDPR.
GDPR is designed to provide rules governing how organizations and individuals should protect and safeguard personal data they collect, store or process and promote the free movement of personal data.
GDPR objectives
The law intends to find a balance between the sufficient protection of individual data and the inherent need for organizations to handle data in the most efficient manner.
Recital 2 of GDPR states that GDPR intends to achieve an “area of freedom, security and justice and of an economic union, to economic and social progress, to the strengthening and the convergence of the economies within the internal market, and to the well-being of natural persons”.
Free movement of personal data
GDPR is clear about its objectives surrounding the free movement of personal data.
The European Union makes it clear that personal data should be able to freely move within the member states and shall not be restricted or prohibited on the mere basis the information is personal in nature.
Recitals applicable to Article 1 of GDPR
Recitals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
GDPR Regulation article-by-article overview
Read our comprehensive overview of the GDPR Regulation, article by article, where we summarize each of the 99 articles contained in GDPR to give you a complete understanding of its content.
Cited Legislation
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
GDPR Text: Article 1 of GDPR and relevant recitals
GDPR Text Source: EUR-Lex
Official GDPR Text: General Data Protection Regulation
Official GDPR Title: REGULATION (EU) 2016/679 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation), corrected by Corrigendum, OJ L 127, 23.5.2018, p. 2 ((EU) 2016/679)
