Does the GDPR apply to everyone?

Asked by: Mollie DuBuque  |  Last update: February 11, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (42 votes)

No, the GDPR doesn't apply to everyone; it applies to organizations processing data of EU residents or citizens, regardless of the organization's location, and excludes purely personal activities, though some small businesses have reduced obligations. It covers EU companies, non-EU businesses targeting EU individuals, and even non-EU citizens physically in the EU, but exempts data handling for personal or household use.

Who does the GDPR not apply to?

Some of the key exemptions from GDPR compliance include personal or household activities, government agencies and law enforcement, and the processing of personal data by Member States.

Does GDPR apply to everyone?

Yes, individuals can be subject to the GDPR, if their data processing is beyond the scope of “purely personal or household activity” as defined in Article 2 of the GDPR.

Does the GDPR apply to US citizens?

Yes, GDPR applies to U.S. citizens when they are physically located in the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) and their personal data is being collected or processed, regardless of their citizenship; it protects them as if they were EU residents in that context, covering tourists, students, or business travelers. Its scope is territorial and depends on location, not nationality, meaning a U.S. citizen in the U.S. has no GDPR protection, while an EU resident in the U.S. also doesn't get GDPR protection. 

Who is exempt from GDPR?

Some of the most common exemptions include businesses that do not process personal data of living persons, businesses that have no connection with the European Union, derogations for businesses with less than 250 employees, or data processing primarily for personal/household activities.

Who Does The GDPR Apply To: Select All That Apply? - SecurityFirstCorp.com

25 related questions found

Is the GDPR mandatory?

Yes, GDPR is mandatory for all companies that process personal data of individuals residing in the European Union (EU). It applies to both EU-based organizations and non-EU companies that offer goods or services to EU residents or monitor their behavior.

Which countries do not follow GDPR?

List of Non-GDPR European Countries

  • Albania.
  • Belarus.
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • Kosovo.
  • Moldovia.
  • Montenegro.
  • North Macedonia.
  • Russia.

What is GDPR called in the USA?

What is the US equivalent of the GDPR? The US equivalent of the GDPR is the CCPA or California Consumer Privacy Act. It was inspired by the GDPR, and both laws protect the personal data of consumers.

Do US banks have to comply with GDPR?

Any financial institution needs to comply with GDPR as well as other laws (for example, AML Act for anti-money laundering).

Can European data be stored in the US?

On 10 July the European Commission adopted its adequacy decision for the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. On the basis of the adequacy decision, personal data can flow freely from the EU to companies in the United States that participate in the Data Privacy Framework.

Who is required to be GDPR compliant?

While the GDPR is an EU law, it applies to any company that makes its website or services available to EU citizens, including US companies.

What are the 7 principles of GDPR?

Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency; ▪ Purpose limitation; ▪ Data minimisation; ▪ Accuracy; ▪ Storage limitation; ▪ Integrity and confidentiality; and ▪ Accountability.

What are the 6 legal bases of GDPR?

Article 6 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) sets out what these potential legal bases are, namely: consent; contract; legal obligation; vital interests; public task; or legitimate interests.

Does everyone have to comply with GDPR?

Everyone responsible for using personal data has to follow strict rules called 'data protection principles' unless an exemption applies. There is a guide to the data protection exemptions on the Information Commissioner's Office ( ICO ) website.

Which country has the best data protection laws?

Data privacy laws by country

  • Ireland. The island nation got an early start on legislating data privacy starting with the Data Protection Act in 1988 and built on that legal framework with the ePrivacy Regulations of 2011. ...
  • Denmark. ...
  • Norway. ...
  • Canada. ...
  • Portugal. ...
  • France. ...
  • Brazil. ...
  • Switzerland.

Are email addresses personal data?

Yes, email addresses are personal data. According to data protection laws such as the GDPR and the CCPA, email addresses are personally identifiable information (PII).

What is the $3,000 bank rule?

The "3000 bank rule" refers to U.S. Treasury regulations under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requiring financial institutions to record specific information for certain transactions over $3,000, primarily to combat money laundering; this includes collecting details like customer ID, transaction amounts, and beneficiary info for wire transfers and purchases of monetary instruments (like money orders) with currency, with records kept for five years. It ensures banks verify identity and maintain records for large cash-based transactions or fund transfers, with different rules for purchases of instruments vs. electronic transfers. 

Does GDPR apply to American citizens?

Yes, GDPR applies to U.S. citizens when they are physically located in the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) and their personal data is being collected or processed, regardless of their citizenship; it protects them as if they were EU residents in that context, covering tourists, students, or business travelers. Its scope is territorial and depends on location, not nationality, meaning a U.S. citizen in the U.S. has no GDPR protection, while an EU resident in the U.S. also doesn't get GDPR protection. 

What are the 4 rules of GDPR?

The GDPR enforces four important principles that organizations must adhere to when handling personal data: lawfulness, fairness, and transparency; purpose limitation; data minimization; and accuracy and storage limitation.

Is the US adequate under GDPR?

The General Court's judgment in case T-553/23, Philippe Latombe v European Commission, confirms that “the United States ensured an adequate level of protection for personal data transferred from the European Union to organisations in that country,” the Court's press release states.

What does GDPR mean in simple terms?

In simple terms, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a strict EU law giving people more control over their personal data and requiring companies worldwide to handle it securely, transparently, and fairly, applying to any business that deals with data of EU residents. It emphasizes user rights like accessing, correcting, or deleting their info, mandates data protection by design, and enforces heavy fines for non-compliance. 

What is the US alternative to GDPR?

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), passed in 2018, was the first in the USA as a response to GDPR and data privacy violations in the state. It boasts similar data protection regulations, though admittedly on a finite scale.

Which country has imposed the biggest GDPR fine?

1. Meta GDPR fine- €1.2 billion. In May 2023, in a groundbreaking decision in the past five years of GDPR enforcement, the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) imposed a historic fine of €1.2 billion on US tech giant Meta.

What is the strictest privacy regulation?

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

Which countries have no data?

Some countries do not regularly report data due to conflict, lack of statistical capacity, or other reasons (e.g. Somalia, North Korea, and some Caribbean and Pacific island economies).