What is the main goal of data protection laws regarding personal data?

The main goal of data protection laws regarding personal data is to regulate how organizations handle personal data. These laws are designed to protect the privacy and rights of individuals by imposing requirements on the collection, storage, processing, and sharing of their personal information. They aim to ensure that organizations treat personal data responsibly and transparently, allowing individuals to have control over their own data.

By setting out established principles and rights, data protection laws help prevent misuse of personal data and establish accountability for organizations that handle such data. This includes providing individuals with rights such as access to their data, the ability to rectify inaccuracies, the right to erasure, and others that promote individual autonomy over their personal information.

In contrast, options that suggest making personal data freely available or limiting technology do not align with the intent of data protection laws, which focus on safeguarding personal information rather than encouraging unrestricted access or inhibiting technological progress. Standardizing data formats across systems also moves away from the core focus on protecting personal data itself and its associated rights.