Article 1 Subject-matter and objectives

This is the foundational article of the regulation, establishing its dual purpose: protecting natural persons with regard to the processing of their personal data, while simultaneously ensuring that the free movement of personal data within the Union is not impeded.

It frames data protection not as a barrier to the flow of information, but as a framework within which that flow can operate.

The article also anchors the regulation firmly in the context of fundamental rights and freedoms, signalling that the right to data protection is to be treated as a core individual right rather than a purely technical or administrative concern.

Important points:

• The regulation serves two parallel goals: protecting personal data and enabling its free movement across the Union.
• The right to protection of personal data is framed as a fundamental right and freedom of natural persons.
• The free movement of personal data within the Union cannot be restricted or prohibited on data protection grounds alone.