The State and Personal Data in the Post-GDPR World: Towards a Global Consensus or Regulatory Fragmentation?

This article explores the transformation of the state’s role in regulating personal data in the post-GDPR world. The author analyzes the impact of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the evolution of the global privacy protection landscape, identifying trends towards harmonization and fragmentation of national legislations. The changing functions of the state as a regulator and guarantor of personal data protection in the context of digitalization are unveiled. The potential of blockchain technologies and distributed ledgers in ensuring user control over data is investigated. The influence of the development of the data market and new business models on the regulatory approaches of states and corporations is analyzed. The consequences of the spread of decentralized services for the relationships between the state, business, and civil society are considered. Priority directions for improving Ukrainian legislation in the field of personal data protection are substantiated, taking into account the realities of Web 3.0 and the need to balance innovation and security. The key idea is that the post-GDPR world stands at a crossroads between further fragmentation of the regulatory landscape and a long path towards harmonizing privacy standards. The choice of development trajectory depends on the coordinated political will of states, corporations, and global civil society to protect personal data as a shared value that unites humanity in the digital age. The article delves into the complex interplay of technological, legal, and societal factors shaping the future of data governance, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead. It highlights the need for adaptive and inclusive regulatory frameworks that balance individual rights, economic interests, and public goods in an increasingly data-driven world.