Andmesubjekte

Andmesubjekte is a term that appears in a minority of German‑language discussions on data protection and information governance. It designates individuals whose personal data are collected, stored, or processed by organizations and, in that sense, serves as a counterpart to the English term data subject. The form is a neologism: the first element andme is not a standard German word in this context, and the overall term is used primarily in theoretical or critical writings to foreground the data‑centric view of the person involved in processing activities.

Usage and scope: In texts that employ andmesubjekte, the concept is used to discuss rights and obligations surrounding personal data, including access, correction, deletion, portability, consent, and safeguards against automated decision‑making. The term is sometimes contrasted with notions of personhood or moral subjectivity to highlight how data processing alters the traditional social position of individuals.

Status and reception: Andmesubjekte is not widely standardized and is not a legally defined term in major privacy statutes. Some scholars prefer established terms such as data subject (Betroffene) or data subject rights, while others use andmesubjekte to provoke discussion about data‑centric personhood. Its adoption varies by author and jurisdiction.

Related terms include data subject, GDPR, privacy by design, data controller, and data processor. Caution is advised when encountering the term, as its meaning may differ between texts and its usage is not uniform across languages or legal frameworks.