Following a two-year transitional period, the EU General Data Protection Regulation becomes effective today. In Germany, the EU General Data Protection Regulation is complemented by the new Federal Data Protection Act 2018.

The General Data Protection Regulation builds on most of the general principles and standards already contained in German data protection law. The new provisions give individuals more rights and data protection supervisory authorities broader powers of enforcement. Major international companies like Facebook will now face much heftier fines if they violate EU data protection law.

The new EU data protection legislation is designed to promote the free movement of personal data within the European Union.

Federal Minister Seehofer commented, "The General Data Protection Regulation seeks to improve citizens’ privacy rights and the trust needed in a digital world. From now on, uniform data protection standards apply throughout the EU. This will benefit the digital single market, because it reduces distortions of competition. Germany as an exporting nation will also benefit."

The minister went on: "I have recently heard from many organizations, small- and medium-sized businesses and even volunteers who are worried about preparing for the new regulation, and I take their concerns very seriously. Many of them need more time to prepare for the new law. I expect the responsible data protection supervisory authorities at state level to impose only mild penalties in case of non-compliance, especially at first. This is the approach they have taken for many years, and one the regulation expressly provides for. I have already talked to the supervisory authorities at federal and state level about this. The first step now is to give users guidance and help them comply with the new requirements as soon as possible. Data protection commissioners, industry associations, and also our ministry website provide a lot of useful information here."

"The Federal Government is interested in what consumers, businesses, associations and our authorities tell us about their experience with the new law. We will use their input in evaluating the regulation in 2020. If the evaluation shows that changes are needed, we will not hesitate to make them."