GDPR-Text: the interactive GDPR reference guide
An interactive GDPR reference guide with the Regulation text in 19 languages, article-by-article commentary, supervisory authority guidance, and case law precedents.
Why GDPR-Text is not just another translation of the Regulation
GDPR Text is a project by an entire team of information privacy specialists at Data Privacy Office Europe, led by the company’s founder, trainer, and lead GDPR consultant — Siarhei Varankevich.
The idea to create gdpr-text.com emerged when Siarhei began working on personal data protection issues.
The team faced a challenge: many translations of GDPR were appearing one after another, which could have been grounds to stop the project. However, after reviewing existing translations, it became clear: available translations contained distortions of meaning. The chosen terminology sounded good in other languages but incorrectly conveyed the meaning (for example, legitimate interest was translated as lawful). There were also omissions of entire paragraphs. The vocabulary and terminology in all translations were different and differed from what is used in practice.
In November 2019, the team launched the website with GDPR texts and translations.
What makes GDPR-Text useful?
Accurate GDPR translation without distortions
If it’s important for you to trust the text — for example, when you’re preparing a document, consultation, or internal policy — the service provides a verified translation. It was created by a team of data privacy specialists taking into account the shortcomings of other translations.
Precise terminology
When you work with lawyers, clients, or regulators, every term matters. We selected correct formulations that are as close as possible to the source, for example: processor instead of handler, controller instead of kontroller, legitimate interest instead of lawful, purpose limitation instead of purpose restriction, etc. This way you can reference terminology accepted in European practice.
Ability to compare texts in different languages
We presented the text in table format, where the original in an official EU language is shown alongside the translation. This way you simultaneously see the original and translations (up to three languages at once). This helps avoid discrepancies in the regulation.
Convenient search for enforcement practice
When you’re preparing an opinion or justifying a position, it’s important to have cases, court decisions, and Guidelines at hand. Under each article, we collected direct links to enforcement practice and expert commentary to reduce search time and build quality argumentation faster.
Pop-up hints with terms
If you’re analyzing a new case or reading an unfamiliar paragraph, hints with definitions from Article 4 GDPR appear right in the text. This helps you stay focused, not lose your train of thought, and absorb material faster.
Convenient work with recitals
Recitals are linked not only to articles but also to individual paragraphs.
When you need to understand the meaning behind a provision, you can read the relevant recital without leaving the page.
What can you do in GDPR-Text?
GDPR-Text helps you navigate the GDPR, switch and compare languages, and search articles quickly. It also shows in-text definitions, extra materials (recitals, case law, guidelines), and lets you download article PDFs.
Navigate between GDPR articles
On the left side of the page, you’ll see GDPR sections, chapters, and articles.
How to use:
- click on any section → it will expand;
- select an article → its content will open on the right.
This is your main way of navigating the document.
Switch languages
At the top of the page, above the article text, are language switchers.
You can:
- select one language,
- enable comparison mode (2 languages),
- open 3 languages in table format (each in its own column).
Original text in the EU language can be enabled with a separate button.
Search for needed material
There’s a search bar in the top menu.
It searches:
- by words,
- by terms,
- by article numbers.
As you type — it immediately shows matches and opens the relevant article.
Read unfamiliar definitions without leaving the page
In the article text (center of screen), terms are highlighted.
Hover your mouse — you’ll see:
- a pop-up definition,
- the wording from Article 4 GDPR.
No need to open anything separately.
Read additional materials about articles
Scroll down the article. There you’ll find blocks:
- Recitals. Click — a pop-up window opens with the text of the relevant recital.
- Case Law. Links to court decisions related to this article.
- Guidelines. EDPB / WP29 recommendations.
- Expert Commentary. Brief explanations from specialists.
This is all located right under the article — no need to navigate to other pages.
Navigate to related articles and paragraphs
In the central text block, many phrases are clickable:
- links to other GDPR articles,
- links to definitions,
- links to related paragraphs.
Click → the article loads in the same central field.
Download PDF versions of articles
In the upper right corner of the article text, there’s a Download PDF button.
PDF downloads:
- your selected language version,
- paragraph structure.
This button is always visible when an article is open.
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