The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which took effect on May 25, 2018, represents a significant shift in data privacy regulation across the European Union. Having attended the Drupal HackCamp event in Bucharest, I'd like to share important insights about GDPR's impact on Drupal development and user privacy.

Understanding GDPR's Core Purpose

The GDPR fundamentally aims to strengthen individuals' control over their personal data. It establishes consistent data protection rules across all EU member states, empowering citizens with greater control over how organizations collect, process, and store their personal information.

User Rights Under GDPR

The regulation grants individuals several fundamental rights regarding their personal data:

1. Right to Information
Users must receive clear information about how their personal data is processed and used.

2. Data Access
Individuals can request and receive copies of all personal data an organization holds about them.

3. Data Correction
Users have the right to have inaccurate or incomplete personal data corrected.

4. Data Erasure
Often called the "right to be forgotten," users can request the deletion of their personal data when it's no longer necessary or if processing becomes unlawful.

5. Object to Processing
Users can refuse the processing of their data for marketing purposes or based on their specific situation.

6. Processing Restrictions
Individuals can limit how organizations process their data in specific circumstances.

7. Data Portability
Users can receive their data in a machine-readable format and transfer it to another service provider.

8. Human Intervention
When automated decisions significantly affect users, they have the right to request human review and contest these decisions.

Implementation Guide for Drupal Developers

Essential Security Measures

1. Access Management

// Implement proper user authentication and authorization
function mymodule_user_access_handler($account) {
 return array(
   'view_own_data' => TRUE,
   'export_own_data' => TRUE,
   'delete_own_data' => TRUE,
 );
}

2. Consent Management

// Example of proper consent form implementation
$form['consent'] = array(
 '#type' => 'checkbox',
 '#title' => t('I consent to the processing of my personal data'),
 '#default_value' => 0, // Unchecked by default
 '#required' => TRUE,
);

Technical Requirements

1. Environment Security

// Check for development environment
if (!drupal_is_production()) {
 // Ensure no production data is present
 remove_sensitive_data();
}

2. HTTPS Implementation

# Force HTTPS for all form submissions
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(user|contact|newsletter).* https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

Data Management

1. Data Retention

function cleanup_expired_data() {
 $retention_period = strtotime('-30 days');
 db_delete('user_data')
   ->condition('timestamp', $retention_period, '<')
   ->execute();
}

2. Cookie Compliance

// Implement cookie consent banner
function add_cookie_consent() {
 drupal_add_js(array(
   'cookieConsent' => array(
     'message' => t('This site uses cookies to enhance your experience.'),
     'dismiss' => t('Accept'),
     'link' => t('Learn more'),
   )
 ), 'setting');
}

Breach Management Protocol

Organizations must report data breaches to authorities within 72 hours of discovery. Implement a clear incident response plan:

function report_data_breach($incident) {
 watchdog('security', 'Data breach detected: @details', 
   array('@details' => $incident->details), WATCHDOG_CRITICAL);
 notify_data_protection_officer($incident);
 prepare_ico_report($incident);
}

Helpful Drupal Modules

While no module can guarantee complete GDPR compliance, several contribute to meeting requirements:
- GDPR Module: Provides basic compliance tools
- GDPR Form Compliance: Enhances form privacy features
- GDPR Consent: Manages user consent tracking
- GDPR Export: Facilitates data portability

Remember that GDPR compliance requires a comprehensive approach combining technical implementation with organizational policies and documentation. Regular audits and updates ensure continued compliance with evolving privacy requirements.