What legal framework is most relevant to the ethical considerations of data collection for personalized advertising?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the most relevant legal framework to the ethical considerations of data collection for personalized advertising, particularly for individuals within the European Economic Area (EEA). GDPR is a comprehensive data privacy law that regulates the processing of personal data of individuals inside the EEA. It emphasizes principles such as transparency, fairness, and accountability. Key requirements of GDPR include obtaining explicit consent from users before collecting and using their data for personalized advertising, providing clear and easily accessible information about data processing practices, and allowing users to access, rectify, and erase their personal data. GDPR also restricts the collection of sensitive personal data, such as information about health, religion, or sexual orientation, without explicit consent. Companies that fail to comply with GDPR can face significant fines. Even for companies operating outside the EEA, GDPR has global implications as it sets a higher standard for data privacy and influences data protection laws worldwide. Therefore, GDPR is the cornerstone of ethical data collection practices in the context of personalized advertising, ensuring user rights and promoting responsible data handling.