ABSTRACT. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), implemented by the European Union (EU) in May 2018, represents one of the most significant regulatory frameworks for the protection of personal data in the digital era. This paper explores GDPR’s impact on global data governance, its relevance to growing digital economies, its implications for the rights of citizens in future generations; particularly its role in inspiring regions such as ASEAN, Latin America, and countries like Indonesia, to adopt similar frameworks. GDPR’s influence extends beyond Europe, shaping how data privacy, security, and individual rights are perceived and protected globally. This study examines the regulation’s core elements, including the right to be forgotten, cryptography, and data minimization, to analyze its far-reaching implications for the global digital economy. Additionally, it evaluates the challenges and opportunities posed by GDPR, offering a roadmap for countries aiming to create a safer and more secure cyberspace.

Keywords: GDPR; data protection; Europe; Latin America; the Caribbean

How to cite: Bajrektarevic, A. H., and Carvajal Caballero, V. (2024). “Navigating the Global Digital Economy: GDPR’s Influence on Data Protection in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean,” Geopolitics, History, and International Relations 16(1): 50–66. doi: 10.22381/GHIR16120243.

Received 2 September 2024 • Received in revised form 30 September 2024
Accepted 1 October 2024 • Available online 10 October 2024