How is blockchain technology affected by the General Data
Protection Regulation ("GDPR")?
The EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum (the
"Observatory"), launched by the European
Commission in February 2018, has set out to reconcile tensions
inherent between the regulation of personal data and one of the
world's most disruptive new technologies. However, given the
novelty and complexity of blockchain in its implementation and the
almost endless use cases, grey areas remain. With an intended
audience of entrepreneurs, developers, lawyers, lawmakers and
regulators, the first thematic report from the Observatory,
"Blockchain and the GDPR" (the
"Report") proposes to resolve these
tensions and reassure innovators that the GDPR can comfortably
regulate some applications of blockchain technology.