EU approves strict new data protection rule

The European Union Commission today granted final approval to the General Data Protection Regulation, which broadens current requirements to cover the processing of all data involving EU citizens and imposes tougher fines for violating the rule.

The commission's action starts a two-year clock for implementation and enforcement of the new requirements.

“Today's adoption means a robust level of EU data protection standards will become the reality in all EU Member States in 2018. Member States have two years to apply...