Directives

• Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC
• Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive 2002/58/EC

Regulations

• General Data Protection Regulations 2018

Acts

• Limitation Act 1980
• Data Protection Act 1998/2018
• Freedom of Information Act 2000
• The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000
• Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 

Regulations have binding legal force throughout every Member State and enter into force on a set date in all the Member States. 

Directives lay down certain results that must be achieved but each Member State is free to decide how to transpose directives into national laws.

Acts are broad laws that are passed and the regulations are guidelines that dictate how the legal provisions of the act should be applied. 

Laws are rules that help maintain stability in a society.

The term Act refers to a law that is passed by the legislative body such as Congress or the Parliament.