GDPR
EU regulation for personal data protection and privacy
WCAG
Global standard for web content accessibility.
Quick Verdict
GDPR mandates data privacy protection for EU residents worldwide with hefty fines, while WCAG provides voluntary guidelines for accessible web content. Companies adopt GDPR for legal compliance and WCAG to reduce lawsuits, enhance UX, and meet procurement standards.
GDPR
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Key Features
- Extraterritorial scope applies to non-EU entities targeting EU residents
- Accountability principle requires demonstrable compliance measures
- Fines up to 4% of global annual turnover for violations
- 72-hour mandatory personal data breach notification
- Enhanced data subject rights including right to erasure
WCAG
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2
Key Features
- POUR principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust
- Testable success criteria at A, AA, AAA levels
- Technology-agnostic and backward compatible versions
- Conformance for full pages and complete processes
- Informative techniques, failures, and Quick Reference tools
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
GDPR Details
What It Is
Regulation (EU) 2016/679, known as GDPR, is a directly applicable EU regulation protecting personal data of EU residents worldwide. Its primary purpose is ensuring lawful processing, enhancing privacy rights, and facilitating secure data flows in the Digital Single Market. Employs a risk-based accountability approach with principles like data minimization and purpose limitation.
Key Components
- Seven core principles (Art. 5): lawfulness, fairness, accuracy, minimization, etc.
- **Data subject rightsaccess, rectification, erasure (right to be forgotten), portability, objection.
- Obligations: DPIAs, DPO appointment, ROPA, 72-hour breach notification.
- Enforcement via fines up to €20M or 4% global turnover; no formal certification, but demonstrable compliance.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for any processing EU data; avoids severe penalties, mitigates risks from breaches. Builds stakeholder trust, sets global gold standard (Brussels Effect), enables cross-border operations, enhances reputation.
Implementation Overview
Conduct gap analysis, update policies/processes, train staff, implement tech safeguards (encryption, pseudonymization). Applies to all org sizes/industries processing EU data globally. Two-year transition historically; ongoing audits by DPAs, one-stop-shop for cross-border.
WCAG Details
What It Is
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is the W3C's internationally recognized, technology-agnostic framework for making web content accessible to people with disabilities. Its primary purpose is to provide testable success criteria ensuring perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust digital experiences, covering websites, apps, and documents.
Key Components
- **Four POUR principlesPerceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust.
- 13 guidelines with ~80 success criteria at Levels A, AA, AAA.
- Informative techniques, understanding docs, and conformance requirements (full pages, complete processes).
- Compliance via self-assessment or audits; no formal certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets legal mandates (e.g., ADA, Section 508, EN 301 549, EAA).
- Reduces litigation risk amid rising lawsuits.
- Enhances UX, SEO, conversions, and market reach (1B+ disabled users).
- Builds stakeholder trust and procurement advantages.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: policy, assessment, remediation, training, continuous testing.
- Applies to all sizes/industries; global scope.
- Hybrid automated/manual/AT/user testing; design system integration.
Key Differences
| Aspect | GDPR | WCAG |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data protection and privacy | Web content accessibility for disabilities |
| Industry | All sectors processing EU data globally | All web publishers, public/private worldwide |
| Nature | Mandatory EU regulation with fines | Voluntary W3C technical guideline |
| Testing | DPIAs, audits by DPAs or DPOs | Automated/manual audits, AT testing |
| Penalties | Up to 4% global turnover fines | No direct penalties, litigation risk |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about GDPR and WCAG
GDPR FAQ
WCAG FAQ
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