In the context of the rapid expansion of web-integrated technologies, there exists a need for a thorough comprehension of data privacy, emphasizing risk mitigation and the nuanced governance of private data within organizational and regulatory frameworks. Given the rise of privacy regulations such as the GDPR and CCPA, it has become important for scholars to understand the connection between data privacy research paradigms and the corresponding privacy policies that serve as regulatory compliance tools for organizations. These policies are indispensable for firms as they endeavor to align with regulatory mandates, ensuring transparent disclosure to their consumers. This dissertation interrogates the following four research questions: 1. Which GDPR topics have garnered significant academic focus in the area of privacy research? 2. What are the emergent themes that are expected to shape the trajectory research on privacy regulations and practice in forthcoming years? 3. In what ways do consumers perceptions and interactions with privacy policies reflect their concerns about data privacy? 4. Can a user-centric approach to designing privacy policies enhance clarity and usability for the end user? This dissertation introduces the novel, RPR (Regulatory Privacy Research) Framework based on the findings from existing research in data privacy and regulatory (GDPR) research. The second study extends the RPR model by contributing to the "Organizational Strategy and Consumer Perceptions" bucket by focusing on user's perceptions of data collection clarity and usability issues related to privacy policies. The research in the second study finds that users often skim through privacy policies without having a thorough understanding of the context or content of a privacy policy. The multi-method approach used in this study illustrated that UX research through the lens of privacy policy design, can lead to a better understanding of how to create privacy policies that are both effective and align with user preferences. This research focuses on essential aspects of privacy research, privacy policy design, and examines how users view privacy policies before and after a user-centric design revision. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]