What is a potential penalty for breaching data protection regulations?

The potential penalty for breaching data protection regulations is indeed a significant financial consequence, and the correct answer reflects this severity. The £17.5 million maximum fine or 4% of the organization’s total worldwide annual turnover is in line with the enforcement measures established under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This regulation aims to ensure that organizations take data protection seriously, imposing heavy fines to deter non-compliance and to protect the rights of individuals regarding their personal information.

This substantial penalty is designed to be significant enough to compel organizations to implement strong data protection practices, reflecting the critical importance of safeguarding personal data in today’s digital environment. It emphasizes that the costs of non-compliance can be severe, potentially impacting an organization’s financial stability and reputation.

Other options propose lower penalties, which do not align with the current regulatory framework regarding data protection, thus illustrating why those alternatives are not applicable.