General data protection regulation (GDPR) of the European Union. What had to be considered until 25 May 2018

With the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union there will be the beginning of a new chapter in history of data protection. With the beginning of May 25, 2018 we will have harmonized regulations in the European Union. With penalties up to 20 million euros and imprisonment up to 3 years, the data protection will have a high priority in future. In this essay we present the subject-matter and objectives, material and territorial scope and the principles relating to processing of personal data. The GDPR presents a sustainable change in data protection. For years to come, this will lay the foundation for trust in data protection in Europe.