How does the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) protect users?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive legal framework designed to protect individuals' personal data and privacy. The correct answer emphasizes that the GDPR gives individuals greater control over their personal data and imposes strict requirements on how organizations collect, process, and store that data.

Under the GDPR, individuals have several rights concerning their personal information, including the right to access their data, rectify inaccuracies, and delete data when applicable. More importantly, GDPR mandates that businesses must obtain explicit consent from individuals before collecting or processing their data, thereby ensuring that consumers have a say in how their information is used. This requirement for consent is a fundamental part of empowering users and enforcing accountability in data management practices.

Meanwhile, other options do not accurately reflect the principles and protections established by the GDPR. While individuals do have the right to access their data, which is important, it falls under a broader frame of rights that the GDPR enacts, making the broader control and regulatory aspect more significant. The GDPR does not allow companies to collect data without consent—quite the opposite, it requires explicit consent under most circumstances. Lastly, there is no mandate within the GDPR stating that all data must be stored in the cloud. Instead, it focuses on the secure and compliant handling of