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Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) · Chapter I · General provisions

Art. 1 · Subject-matter and objectives

Text

  1. This Regulation lays down rules relating to the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and rules relating to the free movement of personal data.

  2. This Regulation protects fundamental rights and freedoms of natural persons and in particular their right to the protection of personal data.

  3. The free movement of personal data within the Union shall be neither restricted nor prohibited for reasons connected with the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data.

Text: EUR-Lex, CELEX 32016R0679 (consolidated text with corrigenda).

Commentary

A twofold purpose: the protection of natural persons when personal data is processed, and the free movement of data within the Union. Both sides of the coin are used in interpretation; protection is not an end in itself and must not become a barrier to the internal market.