Author: Alexian Chiavegato
Publisher: Forbes
Publication Year: 2019
Summary: The following article takes a critical look through a one-year reflection on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that was passed by the European Union. The GDPR, passed in 2018, was monumental as it was one of the first data privacy legislations that was passed anywhere around the globe. This article looks at one year after the GDPR was passed and who is really benefitting from data protection. The article then goes on to state that the GDPR promised user protection, but it has failed to materialize. Due to the fact that users don’t think through the options regarding privacy and simply just provide their consent of data use, it makes the intended goal of user personalization of the GDPR much less impactful. The article then goes on to state that with updates to browser privacy, it’s ultimately big tech’s game. The author then criticizes the GDPR by stating that the GDPR had the unintended effect of favoring larger tech companies, such as Google, Apple, Facebook, etc. over smaller ones due to the familiarity and comfortability with such companies. Finally, the article looks ahead by stating that it’s a transition year with more to come.