Review: Data Protection 4.0: Ensuring Legal Compliance in the Data Economy

As part of the VR Business Club Online Talk series, we welcomed Dr. Markus Brock, a specialist attorney in intellectual property law and partner at SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte, for a practical webinar on data protection, AI, and digital business models.

The focus was on how companies can use data protection not only as a regulatory obligation but also as a strategic competitive advantage. Dr. Brock explained the key principles of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the responsibilities involved in processing personal data, and the most important legal bases for processing, such as consent, performance of a contract, and legitimate interest.

Particular attention was paid to the challenges posed by modern technologies. Using concrete examples, Dr. Brock highlighted the data protection requirements that must be observed in AI applications, cloud services, digital marketing measures, and XR technologies. Topics such as data processing agreements, cookie banners, employee data, and video conferencing systems were also examined from a practical perspective.

A key takeaway from the webinar: Data protection is not an obstacle to innovation. By incorporating data protection into planning early on, companies build trust, reduce risks, and strengthen their long-term competitiveness.

The event marked the conclusion of the multi-part lecture series “Legal Pitfalls and Opportunities for Innovation in XR, AI, and Digital Transformation,” in which Dr. Markus Brock presented the most important legal issues throughout the entire innovation process—from development and marketing to data protection—in a clear and practical manner.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Markus Brock for his fascinating insights, as well as to all participants for their lively discussion and numerous practical questions.