3PP

3PP is an acronym used in several fields, and its meaning depends on the context. It is not a single universal term, so readers should rely on surrounding language to interpret it correctly. Two common interpretations are third-person perspective in media and third-party processing in business and technology.

In entertainment and media, 3PP stands for third-person perspective. This refers to a camera viewpoint that shows the player’s character from a position behind or above, rather than from the character’s own eyes (first-person perspective). Third-person perspective is common in many video games and is chosen to convey character animation, environment, and player situational awareness.

In commerce, software, and data handling, 3PP typically denotes third-party processing or providers. In payments, a 3PP processor handles functions such as payment authorization, fraud checks, and settlement on behalf of a merchant—examples include services like PayPal or Stripe. In data privacy and management, a 3PP refers to an external data processor that processes personal data under a controller’s instructions, with responsibilities defined by data protection laws and contractual agreements.

Other domains may use 3PP to indicate third-party perspectives, suppliers, or services, reflecting the general “third party” concept. Because meanings vary, the intended sense of 3PP is usually clarified by the accompanying terms (for example, “third-person perspective” or “third-party processor”). In formal writing, it is often helpful to spell out the meaning at first use to avoid ambiguity.