DPIA(Data Protection Impact Assessment)

DPIA stands for Data Protection Impact Assessment. It examines the effects on the people whose data you process, not just the security of your systems.

A DPIA describes which personal data is processed, for what purpose and why the processing is necessary and proportionate. It also examines risks to people and measures to reduce those risks. Examples include collecting less data, restricting access and retaining data for less time.

According to the Dutch Data Protection Authority, a DPIA is required before processing that is likely to result in a high privacy risk. Not every website, CRM integration or AI application automatically requires a DPIA. The nature, scale, context and purpose of the processing determine the risk.

In digital and marketing, the concept can be relevant to extensive profiling or combining customer data from multiple sources. A DPIA is different from a cookie banner, privacy notice or technical security scan. Carrying out the assessment does not, by itself, make processing lawful.