DPIA

A data protection impact assessment, or DPIA, is a systematic process used to identify and minimize the data protection risks of a project, system, or processing activity. Its purpose is to ensure privacy considerations are integrated into design and to help organisations comply with data protection laws.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a DPIA is required for processing likely to result in high risk to individuals’ rights and freedoms. Article 35 outlines scenarios such as large-scale monitoring, processing of sensitive data on a large scale, automated decision-making with significant effects, or the use of new technologies that affect people. The obligation typically applies to the controller and, where applicable, the processor, and is usually triggered before processing begins. A data protection officer may be involved, and supervisory authorities may be consulted in high-risk cases.

The DPIA process involves describing the processing, its purposes, scope, data flows, and retention. It assesses whether processing is necessary and proportionate, evaluates risks to data subjects (including their rights and freedoms), and identifies safeguards and mitigation measures such as minimisation, pseudonymisation, access controls, and transparency. The outcome includes documenting residual risks, decisions made, and actions required. Stakeholder input is sought, and, when appropriate, data subjects may be consulted.

The DPIA results support privacy by design and by default and are often integrated with records of processing activities. They should be revisited if processing changes or new risks emerge. While a DPIA helps manage risk, it is not a guarantee of compliance and may lead to further actions, including supervisory authority consultation in certain high-risk scenarios.