Answer ... (a) Data processing
Any operation or set of operations which is performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organisation, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction (Article 4(2) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)).
(b) Data processor
A natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the data controller (Article 4(8) of the GDPR).
(c) Data controller
A natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data; where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by EU or member state law, the data controller or the specific criteria for its nomination may be provided for by EU or member state law (Article 4(7) of the GDPR).
(d) Data subject
An identified or identifiable natural person. An ‘identifiable natural person’ is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to:
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an identifier such as:
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- a name;
- an identification number;
- location data; or
- an online identifier; or
- one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person (Article 4(1) of the GDPR).
(e) Personal data
Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (‘data subject’) (Article 4(1) of the GDPR).
(f) Sensitive personal data
Special categories of personal data (Recital 10 of the GDPR) – that is:
- personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership;
- genetic data and biometric data, when processed for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person;
- data concerning health; and
- data concerning a person’s sex life or sexual orientation (Article 9(1) of the GDPR).
Personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences or related security measures based on Article 6(1) is not listed as sensitive data, but is also subject to special restrictions in processing (Article 10 of the GDPR).
(g) Consent
Any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes by which he or she, through a statement or through a clear affirmative action, signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her (Article 4(11) of the GDPR).