
Processor – “natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller” (Article 4 (8) GDPR
General Data Protection Regulation
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a Regulation in the making by which the European Commission intends to strengthen and unify data protection for individuals within the European Union (EU). It also addresses export of personal data outside the EU.
What is the difference between a controller and a processor?
- procedures for ensuring the exercise of the rights of data subjects
- mechanisms for the transfer of data outside the EU
- minimum content of the impact assessment on data protection
- procedures to be followed in case of violation of personal data
Does the GDPR Make Me a data controller?
The GDPR applies to data controllers and data processors who may be public odies . The GDPR defines a data ontroller as a 'natural and legal person, public authority, agency or other body which alone or ointly, with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.'
What is exactly a Joint Controller in GDPR?
What is next after the ECJ ruling on “Joint Control”
- Background. The ECJ’s ruling is based on an action brought by the Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein (a training academy) against the data protection authority of the state of Schleswig Holstein (the ULD).
- Essence of the ruling. ...
- Key implications. ...
Who has a GDPR control list?
What is the GDPR?
- Data subject requests (DSR). A formal request by a data subject to a controller to take an action (change, restrict, access) regarding their personal data.
- Breach notification. ...
- Data protection impact assessment (DPIA). ...

What is the difference between data processor and data controller?
The data controller is the person (or business) who determines the purposes for which, and the way in which, personal data is processed. By contrast, a data processor is anyone who processes personal data on behalf of the data controller (excluding the data controller's own employees).
What are controllers and processors GDPR?
What is a processor? The UK GDPR defines a processor as: 'processor' means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller. Processors act on behalf of the relevant controller and under their authority.
Can you be a controller and a processor under GDPR?
The answer is YES; you can be a data controller and processor. It is not the nature of the organisation that makes them controllers or processors; instead, it is the determination and nature of processing activities that make the organisation liable to UK-GDPR.
What is the role of a controller and a processor?
Controller responsibilities The entity known as the data controller is the organisation, or person, charged with deciding how the data held is processed. A data processor, on the other hand, is the organisation or person responsible for processing data on behalf of the controller.
Is an agency a controller or processor?
Agencies Are Both Controllers And Processors As a controller, it uses data to buy targeted media for clients that reach 90% of the UK population, said Nick McCarthy, SVP of data solutions at Merkle. But the definitions of processor and controller trigger different responsibilities.
Can a data controller also be a data processor?
An organisation cannot be both data controller and processor for the same data processing activity; it must be one or the other.
Can I be a processor and a controller?
Can you be both a controller and a processor of personal data? Yes. If you are a processor that provides services to other controllers, you are very likely to be a controller for some personal data and a processor for other personal data.
Who is responsible for data breach controller or processor?
Controllers are responsible for the strictest levels of GDPR compliance. According to Article 24 of the GDPR, they must actively demonstrate full compliance with all data protection principles. They are also responsible for the GDPR compliance of any processors they might use to process the data.
What is the role of the controller GDPR?
The controller is responsible for implementing appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure and to demonstrate that its processing activities are compliant with the requirements of the GDPR. These measures may include implementing an appropriate privacy policy.
What is the difference between processor and controller?
Brief overview: Microprocessor consists of only a Central Processing Unit, whereas Micro Controller contains a CPU, Memory, I/O all integrated into one chip. The microprocessor is useful in Personal Computers whereas Micro Controller is useful in an embedded system.
Does GDPR apply to processors?
The GDPR applies to the processing of personal data by a controller or a processor that falls within the scope of the GDPR (regardless of whether the relevant processing takes place in the EU or not).
Do data controllers have to be GDPR compliant?
What does it mean if you are a controller? Controllers shoulder the highest level of compliance responsibility – you must comply with, and demonstrate compliance with, all the data protection principles as well as the other UK GDPR requirements. You are also responsible for the compliance of your processor(s).
European General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR)
This new regulation (EU GDPR) was approved on April 14, 2016, by the European Parliament and the Council of Europe. It will be applied directly in...
What Are The Controllers’ Responsibilities?
According to Article 5 from the EU GDPR, the controller shall be responsible for, and be able to demonstrate compliance with, the principles relati...
What Are The Processors’ Responsibilities?
According to Article 28 from the EU GDPR, “Where processing is to be carried out on behalf of a controller, the controller shall use only processor...
Does ISO 27001 Implementation Satisfy EU GDPR Requirements?
The implementation of ISO 27001 covers most of the requirements of the EU GDPR; however, some controls should be adapted to include personal data w...
What is the role of controller in GDPR?
According to Article 4 of the EU GDPR, different roles are identified as indicated below: Controller – “ means the natural or legal person , public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data ” .
Who is responsible for processing personal data within the EU GDPR?
First, all organisations collect and/or store the personal data of their own employees provided they’re European citizens; therefore, all organisations, EU or non-EU, are responsible for processing this data within the EU GDPR.
What is a processor?
Processor – “ means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller ”. So, the organisations that determine the means of processing personal data are controllers, regardless of whether they directly collect the data from data subjects.
What are the controllers' responsibilities?
What are the controllers’ responsibilities? According to Article 5 from the EU GDPR, the controller shall be responsible for, and be able to demonstrate compliance with, the principles relating to processing of personal data.
When was GDPR approved?
European General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR) This new regulation ( EU GDPR) was approved on April 14 , 2016, by the European Parliament and the Council of Europe. It will be applied directly in each country, EU or non-EU (which stores European citizens’ personal data), allowing for a consistency of rules between nations on the rights ...
Does a non-EU company have to comply with GDPR?
This means that if any EU or non-EU company wants to stay in business, as controller or processor, it will have to implement the necessary controls to ensure that they comply with the EU GDPR, because the fines can be applied to both controllers and processors.
Who is responsible for compliance with the controller obligations under the GDPR?
However, all joint controllers remain responsible for compliance with the controller obligations under the GDPR. Both supervisory authorities and individuals may take action against any controller regarding a breach of those obligations. Other useful resources on this subject: ICO, EU.
What is controller and processor?
Controllers are the main decision-makers – they exercise overall control over the purposes and means of the processing of personal data.
What is joint controller?
If two or more controllers jointly determine the purposes and means of the processing of the same personal data, they are joint controllers. However, they are not joint controllers if they are processing the same data for different purposes. Processors act on behalf of, and only on the instructions of, the relevant controller.
How to determine if you are a controller or processor?
To determine whether you are a controller or processor, you will need to consider your role and responsibilities in relation to your data processing activities. If you exercise overall control of the purpose and means of the processing of personal data – ie, you decide what data to process and why – you are a controller.
Do processors have the same obligations as controllers?
Processors do not have the same obligations as controllers under the GDPR. However, if you are a processor, you do have a number of direct obligations of your own under the GDPR. Both supervisory authorities and individuals may take action against a processor regarding a breach of those obligations.
What is the GDPR regulation?
The regulation recognizes that not all organizations involved in the processing of personal data have an equal level of responsibility. The definitions of controllers and processors according to the GDPR are as follows:
What is GDPR law?
Since GDPR was launched in May 2018, controllers have specific obligations. In addition, processors have legal obligations of their own. This is a major difference from the original DPD legislation in 1995. Under GDPR, the ICO and other supervisory powers can prosecute processors and controllers for any breaches.
What is the purpose of Article 26 of the GDPR?
Article 26 (1) of the GDPR states that data controllers can determine the purposes and means of data processing individually or jointly with another party as joint data controllers. According to the GDPR, joint controllers have a shared purpose and agree upon the purpose and means of processing data together.
What are the requirements for data controllers?
They must demonstrate fairness, lawfulness and transparency, accuracy, data minimization, integrity and storage, and full confidentiality of personal data. According to Article 24 of the GDPR, data controllers must: Take into account the purpose, nature, context, and scope of any data processing activities.
What is a data controller?
Data Controllers. Data controllers are key decision-makers. They have the overall say and control over the reason and purposes behind data collection and the means and method of any data processing. Some data controllers may be governed by a statutory obligation to collect and process personal data.
Can a data processor be liable for a breach of the GDPR?
Individual users can file compensation claims and damages against both data controllers and data processors. If a data processor goes against the data controller’s instructions, they will be liable for any data breaches. Therefore, data processors must always ensure that they are complying with the GDPR guidelines.
Do data processors have the same GDPR responsibilities?
Data processors do not have the same level of GDPR compliance responsibilities. However, they should still take appropriate organizational and technical measures to ensure that any processed data is done so in line with the GDPR.
What is a controller/processor relationship?
A typical example of a controller/processor relationship is where an employer outsources payroll to another company. The employer is the controller of the data, because they instruct the payroll company upon what to do with the data, and the purpose for doing so. The payroll company processes the data based upon these instructions.
What happens if a party is inaccurately determined as a processor?
If a party is inaccurately determined as a processor, notwithstanding that it may have entered into processing obligations, it will still be bound under the DPA 2018 as a controller. Regarding the contractual processing obligations, those that exclusively relate to the DPA 2018 would not apply since these are only designed to apply to processors. The position is more complex where a controller has imposed ‘enhanced’ processor obligations that relate to (and go beyond) the DPA 2018 processing obligations. In practice, if both parties agree to a revised ‘controller to controller’ determination, then a sensible course of action would be entering into a variation agreement to reflect this. Depending on the relationship of the parties, the controller to controller wording can range from being very straightforward to something more bespoke.
What is a controller in GDPR?
Article 4 of the GDPR defines controllers and processors as: 1 (7)‘controller’ means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data; where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by Union or Member State law, the controller or the specific criteria for its nomination may be provided for by Union or Member State law; 2 (8)‘processor’ means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller;
What is the responsibility of the controller in GDPR?
As the controller is the key decision maker with regards to personal data, most of the responsibilities for compliance with the GDPR fall on the controller’s shoulders. The “accountability” requirement is first laid out in Article 5 (1) of the GDPR, listing six required principles underpinning the processing of personal data: lawfulness, fairness and transparency; purpose limitation; data minimization; accuracy; storage limitation; and, integrity and confidentiality.
What is the GDPR chapter 3?
Chapter 3 of the GDPR, for instance, which covers Articles 12-23, covers all the different data subject rights that controllers are responsible for and processors must assist in supporting. Of these, one of the most important is responding to data subject requests.
What is GDPR in the EU?
The GDPR is a complex piece of legislation with far-reaching implications to both EU businesses and businesses that have no physical or legal presence in the EU.
What is a processor?
Processor – Acting on behalf of the controller. The most important element in understanding the definition of processor is that the processor acts “…on behalf of the controller…”. During the processing activities the processor is called on to implement the instructions given by the controller and, as noted above, ...
What is the definition of personal data processing?
The simplified answer covering the large majority of situations is that it applies to: 1) an individual, a company or an organization that process the personal data of persons in the EU in connection with offering them goods or services , or that monitor the behavior of individuals within the EU; or, 2) the processing of personal data in the context of activities by an individual, a company or an organization established in the EU whether the processing takes place there or not.
What are the building blocks of GDPR?
Three building blocks found in the definition help distinguish who is a controller under the GDPR: “the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or any other body”. “which alone or jointly with others”. “determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data”. Put most simply, the first two elements outline ...
Which article of the GDPR states that each controller is responsible for complying with all the obligations?
In particular, regarding the exercising of the rights of the data subject and the duty to provide the information referred to in Article 13 and Article 14. However, each controller remains responsible for complying with all the obligations under the GDPR.
What is GDPR law?
That is why GDPR stipulates that the relationship between the controller and the processor should be governed by a contract or other legal act under Union or Member State law. The contract binds the processor and sets out the subject matter and duration of the processing, nature, and purpose of the processing, the type of personal data, ...
What are the obligations of a data controller?
Obligations of a Data Controller 1 Ensuring that the proper lawful basis is defined, 2 Providing information to the data subjects, 3 Carrying out DPIA ( data protection impact assessment ), 4 Resolving data subject requests 5 Ensuring proper handling and security of the data 6 Defining data retention and data removal policies
What is the purpose of a processor?
When processing is carried out on behalf of a controller, a processor is obligated to provide acceptable guarantees for technical and organizational measures to ensure compliance and the protection of data subject rights.
What happens if the processor fails?
If the other processor fails, the initial processor will be considered fully accountable. Data Processor is responsible for creating and implementing processes that enable the data controller to gather data, store the data, and transfer it if necessary.
What is a data controller?
Data Controller is a natural person, legal entity, organization, company, agency, or any other institution that alone or jointly with other controllers define the purpose and means of personal data processing. Remember that the Member States can also determine additional specific criteria about who can be considered a controller.
What is a data processor?
Data Processor is the legal or natural person, organization, agency, authority, or institution which processes personal data on behalf of the controller. Usually, the data processor is a third-party company chosen by the data controller to process the data. Data Processor does not own the data, does not define the purpose ...
What is a controller?
A controller can be a company or other legal entity (such as an incorporated partnership, incorporated association or public authority), or an individual (such as a sole trader, partner in an unincorporated partnership, or self-employed professional, eg a barrister).
When acting for his client, the accountant is a controller in relation to the personal data in the accounts?
This is because accountants and similar providers of professional services work under a range of professional obligations that oblige them to take responsibility for the personal data they process.
Is a printing company a controller?
The printing company is a processor processing the personal data only on the gym’s instructions. Employees of the controller are not processors. As long as they are acting within the scope of their duties as an employee, they are acting as an agent of the controller itself.

Data Controllers
Data Controllers’ Responsibilities
- Data controllers are responsible for, and must be able to show that, the data processing actions they use do not violate GDPR standards, in accordance with the accountability principle of Article 5. This part of the law states, among other things, that data must be “processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner”. Article 5 goes on to state that use of the data must be strictly limited t…
Data Processors’ Responsibilities
- In certain cases, data processing will require the designation of a Data Protection Officer (DPO). This concerns both processors and controllers and should be done when systematic processing of large amounts of data is conducted or when data related to criminal and legal records is processed. Processors cannot make use of the services of sub-processors without first receivin…