What was the aim of the European Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC?

The aim of the European Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC was to establish a common legal

framework for the protection of personal data within the European Union, and to ensure the free

movement of such data within the internal market. The Directive was based on the recognition that

the processing of personal data affects the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals,

especially their right to privacy, and that these rights need to be respected and safeguarded. At the

same time, the Directive acknowledged that the free flow of personal data is essential for the

economic and social development of the EU, and that the harmonization of data protection laws

would facilitate the exchange of information and the provision of services across the member states.

Therefore, the Directive aimed to strike a balance between the protection of individuals’ rights and

the promotion of the internal market, by laying down the key principles, obligations and rights for

the processing of personal data, and by providing mechanisms for cooperation and coordination

among the national data protection authorities. Reference: Directive 95/46/EC of the European

Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the

processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, Data Protection Directive -

Wikipedia

Reference: https://www.oecd.org/sti/ieconomy/oecd_privacy_framework.pdf (3)