Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)

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What it is and Why it is Important

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Disclaimer

This document provides basic information regarding the need and importance of a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) and is in no way legally binding. It is not meant to replace professional legal advice and we urge all readers to consult with legal experts before relying on the contents of this document in any significant way. The competent authority for GDPR is the Office of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection.

1. Introduction

Government services, like any other organization that processes personal and sensitive information about users, must comply with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). One of the key measures to ensure compliance with GDPR is to conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA).

2. What is a DPIA?

A DPIA is a process that helps organizations identify, assess, and mitigate the risks associated with processing personal data. It is essentially a risk assessment that evaluates the impact of data processing activities on individuals’ privacy and data protection rights. DPIAs are a legal requirement under GDPR for certain processing activities, such as those involving sensitive data or systematic monitoring of individuals.

3. Why is a DPIA necessary?

The purpose of a DPIA is to help organizations identify and minimize the data protection risks associated with a particular project or activity. This could include new systems or processes, changes to existing processes, or new types of data being processed. The DPIA process involves assessing the necessity and proportionality of the data processing, evaluating the risks to individuals’ rights and freedoms, and identifying measures to address those risks.

Conducting a DPIA is essential for several reasons.

• It helps organizations comply with data protection laws and regulations and avoid potential legal and financial penalties for non-compliance.
• It helps build trust with the public and stakeholders by demonstrating a commitment to protecting their personal data.
• It helps organizations identify and mitigate potential risks to individuals’ privacy and data protection rights.

4. How to conduct a DPIA

To assist organizations in conducting a DPIA, we have prepared a DPIA sample template in Greek (ΕΑΠΔ). This sample template of DPIA provides useful information and relevant examples including how to:

• Identify the need for a DPIA
• Describe the processing activity
• Define the personal data involved
• Identify measures to mitigate or eliminate risks
• Identify the Legal Basis for processing

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, conducting a DPIA is an important step in protecting personal data and complying with data protection laws and regulations. By assessing and mitigating potential risks to individuals’ privacy and data protection rights, government services can build trust with the public, and demonstrate a commitment to responsible data processing.

The DPIA shall be submitted to the Office of the Commissioner for personal data protection for evaluation.