Will the GDPR slow down development of smart cities?

After four (4) years of preparation and debate the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was approved by the EU Parliament on 14 April 2016. Enforcement date is 25 May 2018. The EU General Data Protection Regulation replaces the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC and was designed to harmonize data privacy laws across Europe, but also to protect and empower all EU citizens data privacy and to reshape the way organizations across the region approach data privacy. This Regulation is a legal act which is mandatory and fully valid for all EU Member States. Thereby, Member States may additionally regulate certain areas of personal data protection. Apart from being more appropriate for today's era of fast speed Internet and Internet of things (IOT), the new Regulation is essentially more extensive, more accurate, and involves the questions of personal data risk. Considering the fact that personal data is being processed in the E-business and E-government, and in addition to introduction of some smart-city functions, it's possible to indirectly collect personal data. The GDPR is extremely important and it's one of the key legal documents for the further development of the digital economy and administration. As this year's MIPRO almost coincides with the date of full implementation of the Regulation, it was an additional incentive to decide on a subject of invited lecture on GDPR.