In what year was the General Data Protection Regulation formally adopted?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was formally adopted by the European Parliament on April 14, 2016. This regulation was enacted to harmonize data protection laws across Europe and enhance the rights of individuals regarding their personal data. The decision to formally adopt GDPR in 2016 marked a significant shift in data privacy legislation, reflecting growing concerns about data protection in the digital age.

This timing is crucial because the regulation came into effect two years later, on May 25, 2018, allowing businesses and organizations time to prepare for compliance. The year 2016 is significant because it is when the legal framework was formally established and recognized, paving the way for a new era of data privacy rights within the European Union.