The E.U.’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies to fund managers that have offices or funds in the E.U.; offer services to E.U. residents; or hold or process E.U. residents’ data in the E.U. A recent Dechert webinar explored the hitherto relatively lenient regulatory touch and ways that firms can comply with the GDPR. The program was moderated by Dechert partner Timothy C. Blank and featured partners Dr. Olaf Fasshauer and Paul Kavanagh, as well as associates Hilary Bonaccorsi, Jennifer McGrandle and Sophie Montagne. This article, the first in a two-part series, outlines how regulators have promoted compliance with the GDPR, the cross-border transfer of data and the impact of Brexit. The second article will analyze the impact of key GDPR provisions, including data subject rights; data privacy management systems and notices; data protection officers; data protection impact assessments; and breach notification. See “How Fund Managers Can Navigate the E.U. General Data Protection Regulation and the Cayman Islands Data Protection Law” (Aug. 9, 2018).