approvalconsent

Approvalconsent is a governance concept describing a process in which a proposed action—such as data processing, data sharing, or a workflow change—must obtain both internal approval from an authorized official and informed consent from the relevant data subject or stakeholder. The aim is to pair organizational oversight with individual autonomy, creating a dual safeguard against misuse or overreach.

Key features commonly associated with approvalconsent include dual authorization, separation of duties, auditable records, and the ability to grant granular, time-limited, and revocable consent. Implementations typically involve formal workflows, documented decision making, and clear traces of both the approval decision and the consent decision, along with mechanisms to revoke consent or approval.

Applications span privacy programs, clinical research, employment data handling, customer data usage, and software product governance. In practice, approvalconsent supports situations where an organization must justify its actions to both internal governance bodies and external or internal data subjects, balancing risk management with respect for personal autonomy.

Process outline: a proposal is initiated, internal approval is sought from an authorized approver, information about the intended action and its impacts is communicated to the data subject or stakeholder, consent is given or withheld, and both decisions are recorded and monitored. The process may include regular reviews and revocation procedures.

Legal and ethical considerations emphasize transparency, comprehensibility, and robust consent mechanisms, while recognizing potential drawbacks such as administrative burden and consent fatigue. Approvalconsent is often discussed in the context of data governance, privacy, and ethical research practices.