Racial or Ethnic Origin Data

Information revealing a person's racial or ethnic background, considered a special category of personal data under GDPR Article 9. This includes data explicitly identifying race or ethnicity, as well as information from which racial or ethnic origin can be inferred, such as photographs, place of birth, or membership in ethnically-focused organizations. Processing this data is generally prohibited unless specific conditions are met, such as explicit consent, necessity for employment law compliance, or protection of vital interests. Organizations must implement heightened security measures and conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments when handling this sensitive information. Under U.S. civil rights laws, collecting racial data may be required for equal opportunity monitoring, creating a complex compliance landscape where businesses must balance privacy protection with anti-discrimination obligations.