Skip to content
RGPD

Article 1

Subject matter and objectives

1.   This Regulation lays down rules relating to the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and rules relating to the free movement of personal data.

2.   This Regulation protects fundamental rights and freedoms of natural persons and in particular their right to the protection of personal data.

3.   The free movement of personal data within the Union shall be neither restricted nor prohibited for reasons connected with the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Article 1 of the GDPR actually regulate?

It sets out the subject matter of the whole Regulation: rules on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data, and rules on the free movement of personal data.

So the GDPR has a double purpose from the start. It is not only a protection law, it also guarantees that personal data can circulate.

Who does the GDPR protect under Article 1?
Natural persons, meaning individual human beings. Article 1(2) says the Regulation protects their fundamental rights and freedoms, and in particular their right to the protection of personal data. Note the wording: it protects natural persons, so companies and other legal entities are not the ones being protected here.
Article 2 →