Published 2026-08-23 · Last updated 2026-08-28
What is GDPR for US companies? (practical overview)
GDPR basics for US companies selling to EU customers: what triggers obligations, what teams confuse, and where GTM meets privacy.
By Marco Lehnert · · Team at Lehnert Ventures (Orlando & Bavaria)
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is EU privacy law governing how organizations collect, process, store, and share personal data of people in the EU—not only companies physically in Europe. US SaaS and ecommerce teams often trigger GDPR when they have EU customers, employees, or marketing reach without intending “international expansion.”
GDPR is not only IT. It shows up in sales security reviews, marketing lists, analytics stacks, subprocessors, and customer contracts. Product, marketing, and legal need a shared map of data flows—not a checkbox from a plugin.
This overview is not legal advice. Counsel owns compliance posture. Consulting owns how privacy reality shows up in GTM: what sales can promise, what pilots require, and what documentation buyers ask for in Germany.
Pair with cybersecurity & data privacy consulting and Germany market entry for healthtech when patient or sensitive data is involved.
Germany market entry: Germany and Germany market entry for US companies.
Frequently asked questions
Does GDPR apply if we have no EU office?
Often yes when you process EU personal data—counsel assesses scope.
GDPR vs CCPA?
Different regimes; US companies selling globally may face both. Legal counsel should map obligations.
Can Lehnert Ventures provide legal GDPR advice?
No. We help align GTM, product narratives, and security consulting with counsel’s direction.