The General Data Protection Regulation and the effective protection of data subjects' rights in the online environment

After an extensive overview of the GDPR, this work examines the new right to representation enshrined in Art. 80 (1) GDPR, which right permits data subjects to designate a competent association to exercise their rights to enforcement, including the right to obtain compensation, on condition that Member State law so permits. With this right being dependent on national law, this work examines how collective redress for data protection mass harm is dealt with in the major European jurisdictions, before giving an overview of the general EU situation and challenges encountered.