In various provisions, the GDPR assumes that the processing of personal data is conducive to social progress, social integration, social life and social circumstances:

Rec. 2 (2) GDPR: “This Regulation is intended to contribute to […] economic and social progress.”

 

Rec. 5 (1) GDPR: “The economic and social integration resulting from the functioning of the internal market has led to a substantial increase in cross-border flows of personal data.”

 

Rec. 6 (5) GDPR: “Technology has transformed both the economy and social life, and should further facilitate the free flow of personal data within the Union and the transfer to third countries and international organisations, while ensuring a high level of the protection of personal data.”

 

Rec. 157 (3) GDPR: “Within social science, research on the basis of registries enables researchers to obtain essential knowledge about the long-term correlation of a number of social conditions such as unemployment and education with other life conditions.”