The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was designed to give EU citizens a regulatory environment that gave them more control over their personal data. And in 2020, Gartner predicted that by 2023, 65% of the world’s population will have its personal data covered under modern privacy regulations. Gartner research vice president Nader Henein reinforced the prediction by saying, “With more countries introducing modern privacy laws in the same vein as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the world has reached a threshold where the European baseline for handling personal information is now the de facto global standard.”

Currently, each country has its own data protection laws and best practices for data privacy. Many countries around the world have modeled their data privacy laws after the GDPR. Here are some countries that have adopted GDPR-like privacy laws:

Australia – The Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act), which includes the Australian Principles (APPs), is the principal data protection legislation in Australia.

Brazil – Brazil modeled its data privacy law Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD) after the GDPR, broadly aligning with its scope. The LGPD became enforceable on August 1, 2021.

Canada – The Canadian Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA) was proposed in 2020. In Quebec, Bill 64 was passed in September 2021. In British Columbia, Bill 22 was introduced and passed to amend the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).

Chile – In Chile, data privacy is recognized as a human right and is regulated by different laws, including the Constitution of the Republic of Chile, Art. 19 N° 4 and Law 19,628/1999 ‘On the protection of private life.’

China – The Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) regulates online data and protects personal information and has been effective since November 1, 2021.

Egypt – Egypt’s Data Protection Law (law no. 151 of 2020) was declared on July 17, 2020.

Japan – The Act on the Protection of Personal Information (“APPI”) regulates privacy protection issues in Japan. The most recent amendment was enacted in June 2021.

South Africa – The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) became effective in South Africa on July 1, 2021. 

South Korea – South Korea has the Personal Information Protection Act (General Law).

Switzerland – Switzerland regulates data protection and information policy through Article 13 of the Swiss Constitution, the Federal Act on Data Protection (DPA), and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).