DPIAalike

DPIAalike is a term used in privacy governance to describe a framework and process that mirrors the core activities of a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) but is applied beyond strict GDPR requirements. It is not a universally legislated standard, but a descriptive label for an approach organizations use to manage privacy risk across projects, products, and data flows.

The main purpose of a DPIAalike is to identify potential privacy risks early and document the decisions and controls chosen to mitigate them. It supports accountability, informs design choices, and helps teams allocate resources to high-risk areas. The process typically involves scoping the project, conducting data inventories, performing risk and impact assessments, selecting and implementing mitigations, and documenting residual risk and ongoing monitoring.

Methodologically, a DPIAalike follows iterative steps similar to DPIAs: stakeholder engagement, data flow mapping, threat modeling, risk prioritization, and evaluation of controls such as data minimization, access restrictions, retention limits, and security measures. It emphasizes transparency with stakeholders, clear ownership, and a living record that is updated as projects evolve.

Scope and governance vary by organization and jurisdiction. While a DPIAalike may align with GDPR concepts, it is often used in sectors or regions with different regulatory frameworks or internal risk standards. It is commonly integrated with broader privacy by design, data governance, and information security programs, offering a flexible, scalable approach to privacy risk management.

See also: Data Protection Impact Assessment, privacy impact assessment, privacy by design, risk management.