Glossary > Privacy > Consumer Privacy > Consumer Rights Under GDPR

Data Controller

A data controller is a person or entity that determines the purposes for which and the way any personal data is processed. Essentially, they decide why and how personal data is used.

Example #1

An online retail company that collects customer information for processing orders and marketing purposes is a data controller.

Example #2

A social media platform that gathers user data to personalize content and advertisements acts as a data controller.

Misuse

Misuse of data controller responsibilities can lead to unauthorized use of personal information. For instance, a data controller selling customer data to third-party businesses without consent can result in privacy violations and potential identity theft. It is crucial to protect against such misuse to safeguard individual privacy rights and prevent exploitation of personal data for profit.

Benefits

One benefit of having data controllers is the assurance of accountability and clear responsibility in handling personal data. For example, a healthcare provider ensuring patient data is securely managed for treatment purposes demonstrates the importance of data controllers in maintaining confidentiality and trust.

Conclusion

Data controllers play a crucial role in ensuring that individuals' personal information is processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently. By holding data controllers accountable for data protection practices, consumer trust and privacy rights are strengthened.