Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)

A systematic process for identifying and assessing privacy risks of data processing operations, particularly those likely to result in high risk to individuals' rights and freedoms. GDPR Article 35 requires DPIAs for processing likely to result in high risk, especially for systematic monitoring, large-scale processing of special categories, systematic evaluation or scoring, automated decision-making with significant effects, large-scale processing of sensitive data, matching or combining datasets, processing vulnerable populations' data, innovative technologies, or transfers outside the EU affecting access rights. A DPIA describes the processing, assesses necessity and proportionality, evaluates risks to individuals, identifies mitigation measures, involves the DPO if required, and documents findings. DPIAs should be conducted before beginning high-risk processing and reviewed periodically. They demonstrate accountability, identify privacy issues early, facilitate better design, and can reduce overall risk.