Privacy is no longer a regional issue; it’s global. This year, we're seeing a clear shift toward stronger regulations, increased transparency demands, and greater accountability when it comes to personal data. While the EU has long led the way with the GDPR, countries like India and the United States are rapidly catching up. If your business handles international data, now’s the time to review your data governance. This blog highlights key updates and offers practical tips to stay compliant.

From Europe to Everywhere: Privacy Goes Global

The GDPR has set the benchmark for privacy standards since 2018. But 2025 is a turning point: more and more countries are introducing laws that mirror GDPR principles.

• India – Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA)
  India’s new privacy law came into force this year. It emphasizes data minimization and grants citizens the right to have their data deleted. Inactive data must be erased after three years, a clear signal for companies to rethink their data retention.

• United States
  In 2025, new laws took effect in multiple U.S. states, including Delaware, Iowa, and Oregon. These give consumers the right to access, correct, and delete personal data, and require businesses to implement clear data processing policies. While rules vary, common themes include rights to access, deletion, and limited processing.
  
  
• Brazil (LGPD), South Africa (POPIA), Japan (APPI)
  Many non-EU countries are tightening privacy rules, often drawing inspiration from GDPR. This global trend means businesses must navigate a growing patchwork of regulations to remain compliant everywhere they operate.

Key Trends: Data Minimization and Erasure in the Spotlight

New laws increasingly highlight:

• Mandatory deletion of outdated or inactive data:
  Especially highlighted in India’s DPDPA and aligned with GDPR's Article 5 (data retention limitation).
• Accountability for data breaches:
  Regulators are issuing higher fines and demanding faster reporting.
• Data portability requirements:
  Recognized in GDPR, CCPA, and Brazil’s LGPD as a user right.
• Data localization obligations (e.g., storing data within national borders):
  India, China, and Russia are enforcing local storage rules for sensitive data.

This puts secure data erasure at the forefront. Not just as a response to user requests, but as a proactive part of a company’s privacy-by-design strategy. At Certus, we believe verifiable, secure data erasure is essential. Not only for compliance, but for reducing risk and cutting storage costs.

How Can You Prepare?

To keep pace with this evolving landscape, businesses should:

1. Identify which data privacy laws apply to your customer base
2. Implement policies for automatic deletion of stale data
3. Be able to prove what was deleted, when, and how
4. Use certified data erasure tools that provide audit trails

Certus enables secure, policy-based data erasure. Certified, verifiable, and aligned with global standards.

Final Thoughts

Privacy isn't a checkbox. It’s a long-term commitment that touches everything from compliance and technology to culture. As global laws tighten, the organizations that invest early in secure data governance will lead with confidence.