GDPR: what is the General Data Protection Regulation?
When you process personal data for your research, you must follow the rules of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The GDPR: new European privacy legislation
The GDPR, which has been in force since 25 May 2018, modernises the existing privacy legislation. It creates a uniform European legislative framework and gives citizens/data subjects more control over how personal data is processed. The GDPR requires transparency and responsibility from organisations towards citizens/data subjects about how and why they process personal data.
National law
The GDPR provides that EU Member States can draw up national legislation for certain areas and exceptions. In Belgium, the Law on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 5 September 2018.
The possibility stipulated in the GDPR to provide exceptions at national level also means that in research projects involving organisations/institutions from different Member States, you must thoroughly examine the national laws of all Member States concerned and the processing must comply with those requirements.
UGent code of conduct
At UGent, the GDPR requirements were included in the Generic Code of Conduct for the processing of personal data and confidential information.
More information
More tips
- GDPR: Can I share research data with personal data with other researchers or institutions when my research project has ended? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: how can I ensure that the processing of personal data is lawful? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: how do I protect my data correctly? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: how do I register personal data processing activities? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: how long may I store research data containing personal data? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: how to be transparent to data subjects in my research? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: what are personal data? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: what are some things to consider when processing personal data from minors? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: What are the basic principles? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: What are the different roles and responsibilities according to the GDPR? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: What do I need to think about when transferring personal data to third countries or international organisations? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: What do I need to think about when using a mailing list in the context of my research? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: what has changed with regard to the previous privacy legislation? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: What information should I include in an informed consent form when the processing of personal data is based on the consent of the data subjects? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: What rights do data subjects have, how do I respect them and what exceptions may apply to research? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: what should I do in case of a data breach? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: What should I do in the event of further/secondary processing of personal data? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: What should I keep in mind when designing my research? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: what should I keep in mind when processing special categories of personal data? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: What should I think about when I collaborate with others or share my data? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: When am I processing high-risk personal data and when do I need to conduct a DPIA? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: when does it apply to my research? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: who are considered to be vulnerable persons? (Research integrity & ethics)
- GDPR: why is it important to comply with this legislation? (Research integrity & ethics)
- Qualtrics: how do I use this survey tool? (Research integrity & ethics)
Translated tip
Last modified Aug. 25, 2023, 11:27 a.m.