Peers response: The GDPR changed the global conversation around data privacy by setting a far higher bar for how organizations handle personal information. At its core, the regulation emphasizes transparency, accountability, and individual controlrequiring businesses to clearly justify why they collect data, limit how long they keep it, and protect it with strong security measures (European Commission, 2024). These universal standards stand in sharp contrast to the United States, where data protection is fragmented across state laws and sector-specific regulations. For example, California's CCPA and healthcare-focused HIPAA reflect very different approaches, leaving U.S. consumers with inconsistent privacy protections depending on where they live and who collects their data (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2023).

Consumers generally welcome the GDPR because it gives them meaningful rightslike access to their information, the ability to correct inaccuracies, and the "right to be forgotten." Businesses, however, often feel the weight of compliance. Requirements such as maintaining detailed processing records, obtaining explicit and revocable consent, and reporting breaches within 72 hours can be expensive and operationally disruptive (European Data Protection Board, 2022). Industries built on behavioral dataadvertising, retail, and tech platformshave had to rethink long-standing practices. That said, many organizations eventually see a benefit: customers trust companies more when they believe their data is being responsibly managed.

Overall, the GDPR highlights the tension between business efficiency and consumer rights. Even though it can be difficult for companies to implement, the regulation pushes the global market toward a more transparent and ethical data environmentsomething many consumers increasingly expect.

In your responses to your peer, address the following prompts in 1 paragraph:

• Do you agree or disagree with their stance on global data privacy laws? Why, or why not?
• Ask a follow-up question or share a real-world example that challenges or supports their viewpoint.
• Suggest additional factors they may not have considered, such as technological advancements, enforcement challenges, or evolving consumer expectations.