How to rule a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)?

9. May 2018

Pursuant to Art. 35 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) the controller of personal data shall carry out an assessment of the impact of the data processing that takes place in the controller’s responsibility. That means mostly, to anticipate the possible data breaches and to fulfil the requirements of the GDPR before the personal data is processed.

Even if the date of enforcement of the GDPR (25th May 2018) comes closer and closer, just a few of the EU member states are well-prepared. Only Austria, Belgium, Germany, Slovakia and Sweden have enact laws for the implementation of the new data protection rules. Additional to this legislation the national data protection authorities have to publish some advises on how to rule a DPIA. Pursuant to Art. 35 (4) sent. 2 GDPR these handbooks on DPIA’s should be gathered by the European Data Protection Board for an equal European-wide data protection level. The Board as well seems not to work yet, as the Article 29 Working Part (WP29) is still the official authority.

But at least, Belgium and Germany have published their DPIA recommendations and listed processes for which a DPIA is required, pursuant to Art. 35 (4) GDPR, and in which cases a DPIA is not required, see Art. 35 (5) GDPR.

For example, in the following cases the Belgian authority requires a DPIA:

  • Processing, that involves biometric data uniquely identifying in a space—public or private—which is publicly open,
  • Personal data from a third party that determines whether an applicant is hired or fired,
  • Personal data collected without given consent by the data subject (e.g. electronic devices like smart phones, auditory, and/or video devices),
  • Processing done by medical implant. This data may be an infringement of rights and freedoms.
  • Personal data that affects the vulnerable members of society (e.g., children, mentally challenged, physically challenged individuals),
  • Highly personal data such as financial statement; employability; social service involvement; private activities; domestic situation.
Category: Article 29 WP · Belgium · Data Breach · EU · GDPR