What is personal data under GDPR
Are you a business in the EU or are you hoping to conduct business in this region? If you’re worried about GDPR compliance and don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to get started on looking for the right tools, platforms, software for GDPR compliance.
If your organization operates in the EU—or serves customers who do—GDPR compliance is not optional. Since its adoption in 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has become a global benchmark for privacy protection, shaping how companies collect, store, and use personal data.
Yet, as technology evolves, so do compliance challenges. From cloud storage to AI models, organizations must now manage a complex ecosystem of tools while ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust.
This guide will help you understand:
What GDPR means in today’s digital environment
The principles and obligations companies must follow
The most common types of GDPR‑related tools and platforms
How to compare providers—and why secure communication tools like e‑Boks are vital
The GDPR governs how personal data of EU residents is processed, ensuring transparency, accountability, and individual control. Even outside the EU, it influences global privacy standards—from Brazil’s LGPD to Japan’s APPI.
In 2025, GDPR remains at the center of Europe’s digital regulatory framework, working alongside:
The Data Governance Act (DGA) and Data Act, which govern data sharing
The Digital Services Act (DSA), which expands platform accountability
Emerging AI Act regulations, defining how data may be used in algorithmic decision‑making
Together, these frameworks signal a clear direction: trust and compliance are now competitive differentiators.
Want to learn how e‑Boks supports GDPR compliance? Explore our encrypted platform
GDPR applies to:
Any organization operating within the EU
Non‑EU organizations offering goods or services to EU residents or monitoring their behavior
Third‑party processors (like software vendors or cloud providers) that handle personal data
Small businesses, SaaS vendors, and even marketing teams that track EU users through analytics must comply.
Lawfulness, fairness, transparency – Tell users how and why data is used.
Purpose limitation – Only collect data for clear, legitimate purposes.
Data minimization – Gather only what’s needed.
Accuracy – Keep data up to date and correct errors quickly.
Storage limitation – Delete data once no longer needed.
Integrity and confidentiality – Secure it against unauthorized use.
Accountability – Be able to demonstrate compliance at all times.
GDPR compliance is both a legal and technological task. Software and platforms play a key role in:
Managing user consent and cookies
Encrypting personal data
Tracking and auditing data access
Providing secure communication channels
Responding to subject access or deletion requests
Let’s explore the main categories of GDPR tools.
| Category | Purpose | Example Tools | GDPR Relevance |
| Consent Management | Capture, store, and manage user consent | OneTrust, Cookiebot | Transparency & lawful basis |
| Data Discovery & Inventory | Locate personal data across systems | Collibra, BigID | Accountability & data minimization |
| Secure Communication | Deliver sensitive information safely | e‑Boks, ProtonMail | Encryption, confidentiality |
| Risk & Compliance Management | Conduct DPIAs, audits, and gap analysis | TrustArc, Vanta | Demonstrate compliance |
| Customer Communication Platforms | Manage regulated interactions | e‑Boks, DocuSign | Proof of delivery, audit trail |
When evaluating platforms, focus on:
Security
End‑to‑end encryption (AES‑256 or higher)
Access control, data masking, pseudonymization
Interoperability
Can it integrate with existing CRMs, cloud providers, or document systems?
Compliance Certifications
ISO 27001, SOC 2, or GDPR‑specific assurance
Sustainability & Efficiency
Platforms that minimize resource use align with ESG goals
Support and Maintenance
Regular updates and data breach notification procedures
Not all tools are equal. See why governments and enterprises across the world choose e‑Boks for secure digital correspondence.
A digital postbox is a secure communication platform that allows organizations to send, receive, and archive sensitive digital correspondence—fully encrypted and GDPR‑compliant.
With e‑Boks, organizations can:
Deliver documents securely to verified users
Retain a traceable communication history
Control access and manage consent centrally
Reduce operational costs and CO₂ emissions
Many organizations still rely on traditional email for document delivery, assuming it's secure enough. However, the differences between standard email and a digital postbox are significant—especially when it comes to GDPR compliance, encryption, and delivery traceability. Learn how a digital postbox compares to email—and why it’s the safer choice.
Trusted by governments, banks, and insurers across Europe, e‑Boks supports both compliance and sustainability goals—two core pillars of digital trust in 2025. Learn how e-Boks helps these organizations distributing documents securely.
AI systems are reshaping compliance expectations. Under Article 22 of the GDPR and the upcoming EU AI Act, organizations must ensure:
Transparency in automated decision‑making
Data minimization in model training
Explicit consent when using personal data for AI purposes
Platforms that already embed GDPR principles—like encryption, consent control, and audit trails—give organizations a head start in meeting AI‑related requirements.
What counts as personal data under GDPR?
Any information that can directly or indirectly identify a person—name, IP, device ID, or behavioral data. Read more on what personal data is.
Does GDPR apply to non‑EU businesses?
Yes. If you serve or monitor EU users, GDPR applies regardless of your company’s location.
What is the difference between GDPR and the UK Data Protection Act?
While similar, the UK is diverging post‑Brexit. Businesses handling both EU and UK data should review each framework separately.
How can e‑Boks help my organization stay compliant?
e‑Boks ensures secure, auditable, and encrypted digital communication—meeting the confidentiality, traceability, and accountability requirements of GDPR.
As Europe’s digital landscape evolves, GDPR compliance has become the foundation of trust. Choosing the right combination of tools and partners isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about protecting reputation, improving transparency, and future‑proofing your organization.
With its encrypted postbox platform, e‑Boks enables secure, compliant communication for organizations across regulated industries—helping them balance privacy, efficiency, and sustainability.
Ready to upgrade your data protection strategy? Contact e‑Boks for a compliance-ready communication solution.