Cyprus marks eight years since the General Data Protection Regulation came into force, a milestone that reshaped personal‑data protection across the EU, the Office of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection said last night.
The GDPR strengthened citizens’ rights, established transparency as a core principle and increased the accountability of organizations processing personal data.
It also created a unified framework across EU and EEA member states, supported by the establishment of the European Data Protection Board in 2018, which reinforced consistency in enforcement and cross‑border cooperation.
The commissioner’s office noted that personal data has become the “currency” of the digital era, making the regulation more relevant than ever amid rapid digital transformation, the rise of artificial intelligence and growing cyberthreats.
It said data protection is not only a legal obligation but a foundation of public trust in institutions, digital services and businesses.
The anniversary, it added, is an opportunity to reaffirm the authority’s commitment to safeguarding the fundamental right to privacy.
The office stressed that data protection begins with the individual and is a shared responsibility for all.
