Digital Privacy in the Age of Surveillance: A Comparative Study of GDPR and CCPA

Abstract

In an era marked by unprecedented data generation and widespread digital surveillance, the need for robust privacy regulations has never been more critical. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States represent two landmark legislative responses aimed at protecting individual data rights. This article presents a comparative analysis of the GDPR and CCPA, focusing on their scope, core principles, consumer rights, compliance obligations, and enforcement mechanisms. It highlights the similarities and differences between the two frameworks and explores their implications for businesses, governments, and consumers in the evolving global data privacy landscape.