The starting point for a big data project: the privacy impact assessment

The era of big data is here. Although we are yet to see its full potential, the use of big data analytics is already proving invaluable to businesses and its applications have been found in numerous and diverse sectors.

However, the use of big data has also brought much controversy, particularly when it involves sensitive information, concerns children, minorities or other vulnerable people, or where the decision-making has a significant impact on individuals.

As both public interest and regulatory scrutiny in artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data continues to build, it is increasingly becoming important for businesses to be aware of individuals’ rights over their data and be prepared to demonstrate compliance with data protection laws.

This is particularly the case for organisations working with data about individuals in Europe, as the regulatory framework on data protection has changed with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) coming into force in May 2018.

Accountability in the spotlight

One of the innovations of the GDPR is the introduction of the focus on accountability, which is the requirement to not only comply with the obligations of the GDPR but also be able to demonstrate compliance with the GDPR.

The data protection impact assessment (DPIA), also called privacy impact assessment (PIA), is an important tool that organisations have at their disposal to ensure that their processing of personal data complies with data protection law and minimises the impact on privacy.

This guide is intended to explain why, when and how PIAs should be carried out in the context of a big data project.

It also discusses some of the key issues that are likely to be identified in a PIA on a big data project and factors to consider when making risk-based decisions on the basis of a PIA.

Next steps

You can download the guide using the button below.

Take advantage of the far-reaching changes brought about by the GDPR with our European Privacy Tool, which offers realistic, practical and workable insights as well as templates, helping to ensure that you are successful in meeting the applicable regulatory requirements.