The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a thorough data protection law that came into effect in the European Union on May 25, 2018. It aims to give individuals control over their personal data and to streamline the regulatory environment for international companies by standardizing regulations across the EU. The GDPR applies to all companies that process and store the personal data of individuals residing in the European Union, regardless of the company's location. The GDPR mandates that companies protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens in transactions within EU member states and regulates the export of personal data to countries outside the EU. Key requirements include obtaining consent for data processing, notifying data breaches, anonymizing data to protect privacy, integrating data protection safeguards into data processing activities, and providing individuals with rights related to their personal data, such as the right to access, rectify, erase, or transfer their data. Compliance with the GDPR is crucial for companies to avoid substantial fines and to build trust with their customers by ensuring their data is handled securely and transparently.