GDPR
EU regulation for personal data protection and privacy rights
EU AI Act
EU regulation for risk-based AI safety and governance
Quick Verdict
GDPR protects personal data privacy globally for EU subjects, mandating consent and rights. EU AI Act regulates AI risks with prohibitions and conformity for high-risk systems. Companies adopt GDPR for compliance, AI Act for safe EU market access.
GDPR
Regulation (EU) 2016/679 General Data Protection Regulation
Key Features
- Extraterritorial scope applies to non-EU entities targeting EU residents
- Fines up to 4% of global annual turnover for violations
- Accountability principle requires demonstrating compliance measures
- Enhanced data subject rights including erasure and portability
- Mandatory 72-hour personal data breach notifications
EU AI Act
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 Artificial Intelligence Act
Key Features
- Risk-based four-tier AI classification framework
- Prohibitions on unacceptable-risk AI practices
- High-risk conformity assessment and CE marking
- GPAI model systemic risk obligations
- Post-market monitoring and incident reporting
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
GDPR Details
What It Is
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), or Regulation (EU) 2016/679, is a directly applicable EU regulation protecting natural persons' data privacy. It governs personal data processing with extraterritorial scope, applying to any entity targeting EU residents. Employs a risk-based accountability approach emphasizing demonstrable compliance.
Key Components
- **Seven core principleslawfulness/fairness/transparency, purpose limitation, minimization, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity/confidentiality, accountability.
- **Data subject rightsaccess, rectification, erasure ('right to be forgotten'), restriction, portability, objection.
- Obligations include DPIAs, DPO appointment for high-risk processors, 72-hour breach notifications, processing records.
- No certification; compliance via DPA enforcement with fines to 4% global turnover.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for EU data handlers to avoid severe penalties.
- Mitigates regulatory risks, builds customer trust.
- Establishes global privacy benchmark, enhances reputation/competitiveness.
Implementation Overview
- Gap analysis, policies, training, tech upgrades for all sizes/industries globally handling EU data.
- Appoint DPO, conduct DPIAs, ongoing monitoring/audits under DPA oversight. (178 words)
EU AI Act Details
What It Is
The EU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) is the EU's comprehensive regulation for artificial intelligence, horizontally applicable across sectors. It aims to ensure safe, transparent, and trustworthy AI while protecting fundamental rights through a **risk-based approachprohibiting unacceptable risks, regulating high-risk systems, transparency for limited-risk, and minimal rules for others.
Key Components
- Four risk tiers with specific obligations
- High-risk requirements: risk management (Art. 9), data governance (Art. 10), documentation (Arts. 11-13), human oversight (Art. 14), cybersecurity (Art. 15)
- GPAI models: technical docs, systemic risk mitigations (Arts. 51-55)
- Compliance via conformity assessment, CE marking, EU database registration
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for EU market access, fines up to 7% global turnover
- Mitigates risks to safety, rights; enables trust and competitiveness
- Supports innovation in regulated sectors like healthcare, finance
Implementation Overview
Phased (6-36 months): inventory/classify AI, build lifecycle compliance, engage notified bodies. Targets providers/deployers with EU nexus; audits/post-market monitoring required. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | GDPR | EU AI Act |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data protection and privacy | AI systems risk management and safety |
| Industry | All sectors processing EU data globally | AI providers/deployers in EU, all sectors |
| Nature | Directly applicable EU regulation | Risk-based AI regulation with prohibitions |
| Testing | DPIAs for high-risk processing | Conformity assessments, notified bodies |
| Penalties | Up to 4% global turnover | Up to 7% global turnover for prohibitions |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about GDPR and EU AI Act
GDPR FAQ
EU AI Act FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
What if the EU would not have made GDPR mandatory...
Explore a world without mandatory GDPR: How would organizations manage data? What data privacy regs would emerge? Uncover impacts on businesses and privacy laws
Proving CIS Controls v8.1 Works: A KPI & Evidence Framework for Board Reporting, Audits, and Continuous Assurance
Prove CIS Controls v8.1 effectiveness with KPI catalog, evidence checklist & reporting cadence. Ideal for board reports, audits & cyber-insurance. Measure outco
5 Ways Modern Compliance Software Makes Evolving Regulations Your Strategic Advantage
Discover 5 ways modern compliance software turns evolving regulations into strategic advantage. Automate monitoring, cut 3x non-compliance costs, stay audit-rea
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
WEEE vs EU AI Act
Discover WEEE vs EU AI Act: Contrast e-waste EPR rules (Directive 2012/19/EU) with AI's risk tiers, prohibitions & GPAI duties. Master compliance, avoid fines. Dive in now!
MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) vs ISO 41001
Discover MLPS 2.0 vs ISO 41001: China's cybersecurity framework meets global facility mgmt std. Key gaps, compliance strategies & integration tips for resilient ops. Dive in!
NIST CSF vs ISO 55001
Compare NIST CSF vs ISO 55001: Cyber risk mastery meets asset lifecycle optimization. Explore key differences, synergies & pick the ideal framework for resilience. Read now!