The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an EU-wide reform of data protection laws and policies that will take effect in 2018. It aims to strengthen and unify data protection for individuals within the EU. Key changes include requirements for companies to notify customers of data breaches, higher fines for noncompliance, and "data protection by design" where privacy is built into products from the start. The GDPR requires organizations to implement encryption and other security measures to protect personal data and ensure its confidentiality.