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What does "Datenschutz" mean in English?

Business, Legal, Technology • 
Last updated on 14 March 2024

Datenschutz, literally translated as “data protection,” is a term that encapsulates the practices, laws, and regulations designed to safeguard personal data from unauthorized access, misuse, or disclosure.

What is “Datenschutz”?

In Germany, Datenschutz refers to the comprehensive framework established to protect individuals’ personal information. This concept is deeply rooted in the German cultural and legal landscape, reflecting the country’s historical experiences and its commitment to individual privacy rights. Datenschutz is not only a legal obligation for businesses and organizations but also a fundamental right for individuals, emphasizing the importance of handling personal data with care and respect. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came into effect across the European Union in May 2018, is a key component of modern Datenschutz, setting stringent standards for data protection and granting individuals greater control over their personal information[1][2][3].

More information about “Datenschutz”

The concept of Datenschutz encompasses various aspects of data handling, including the collection, storage, processing, and transmission of personal data. It mandates that personal data must be processed lawfully, transparently, and for specified purposes only. The GDPR has significantly influenced Datenschutz practices, introducing requirements such as data protection by design, data breach notifications, and the appointment of data protection officers in certain organizations[1][2][3]. Additionally, Datenschutz is not limited to digital data but also applies to manual records containing personal information.

Here are some additional terms that are related to Datenschutz:

  • Bundesdatenschutzgesetz (BDSG): The Federal Data Protection Act of Germany, which complements the GDPR and provides specific national regulations for data protection[19].
  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): A regulation that strengthens and unifies data protection for individuals within the European Union and the European Economic Area[1][3].
  • Datenschutz-Grundverordnung (DSGVO): The German name for the GDPR, emphasizing its role as the foundational regulation for data protection in Germany and across Europe[1][3].
  • Datenschutzbeauftragter: The data protection officer, a role required by the GDPR in certain organizations to oversee compliance with data protection laws[3].

In conclusion, Datenschutz is a critical aspect of modern society, ensuring that individuals’ personal data is protected and handled responsibly. With the advent of the GDPR, Datenschutz practices have become more standardized across Europe, providing a robust framework for data protection.

Sources

[1] https://www.wired.co.uk/article/what-is-gdpr-uk-eu-legislation-compliance-summary-fines-2018 [2] https://blog.didomi.io/germany-data-privacy-protection-laws-everything-you-need-to-know [3] https://gdpr-info.eu [4] https://gdpr.eu/what-is-gdpr/ [5] https://secureprivacy.ai/blog/german-data-privacy-laws-guide-bdsg-ttdsg-gdpr [6] https://www.dlapiperdataprotection.com [7] https://www.dataguidance.com/notes/germany-data-protection-overview [8] https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=24072d28-1017-41fc-9eb4-d5b96eec5cdf [9] https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/data-protection-eu_en [10] https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-gdpr-uk-eu-legislation-compliance-summary-fines-2018/ [11] https://iclg.com/practice-areas/data-protection-laws-and-regulations/germany [12] https://www.endpointprotector.com/blog/eu-vs-us-what-are-the-differences-between-their-data-privacy-laws/ [13] https://hbr.org/2022/02/the-new-rules-of-data-privacy [14] https://www.iitr.us/publications/privacy-laws-in-germany-developments-over-three-decades [15] https://iclg.com/practice-areas/data-protection-laws-and-regulations/usa [16] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Data_Protection_Regulation [17] https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/S2398-601820210000008009/full/html [18] https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection_en [19] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundesdatenschutzgesetz [20] https://termly.io/resources/articles/what-is-gdpr/[1] https://www.wired.co.uk/article/what-is-gdpr-uk-eu-legislation-compliance-summary-fines-2018 [2] https://blog.didomi.io/germany-data-privacy-protection-laws-everything-you-need-to-know [3] https://gdpr-info.eu [4] https://gdpr.eu/what-is-gdpr/ [5] https://secureprivacy.ai/blog/german-data-privacy-laws-guide-bdsg-ttdsg-gdpr [6] https://www.dlapiperdataprotection.com [7] https://www.dataguidance.com/notes/germany-data-protection-overview [8] https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=24072d28-1017-41fc-9eb4-d5b96eec5cdf [9] https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/data-protection-eu_en [10] https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-gdpr-uk-eu-legislation-compliance-summary-fines-2018/ [11] https://iclg.com/practice-areas/data-protection-laws-and-regulations/germany [12] https://www.endpointprotector.com/blog/eu-vs-us-what-are-the-differences-between-their-data-privacy-laws/ [13] https://hbr.org/2022/02/the-new-rules-of-data-privacy [14] https://www.iitr.us/publications/privacy-laws-in-germany-developments-over-three-decades [15] https://iclg.com/practice-areas/data-protection-laws-and-regulations/usa [16] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Data_Protection_Regulation [17] https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/S2398-601820210000008009/full/html [18] https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection_en [19] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundesdatenschutzgesetz [20] https://termly.io/resources/articles/what-is-gdpr/