This book explores the emergence of the fundamental right to personal data protection in European Union (EU) law. Approaching legal evolution through the lens of law as text, it uncovers the steps that led to the establishment of this new right. It highlights the significance of the right and reveals the complexities of its relationship with privacy. The right to personal data protection is now officially recognized as an EU fundamental right and is expected to play a critical role in the future legal landscape of personal data protection in Europe, seemingly displacing the right to privacy. This volume is based on the premise that a clear understanding of the right's emergence is essential for its correct interpretation and development. Key questions addressed include: How did the new right surface in EU law? How could the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights claim to render?.