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Who does the UK GDPR apply to?

Latest updates

19 May 2023 - we have broken the Guide to the UK GDPR down into smaller guides. All the content stays the same.

  • The UK GDPR applies to ‘controllers’ and ‘processors’. 
  • A controller determines the purposes and means of processing personal data.
  • A processor is responsible for processing personal data on behalf of a controller.
  • If you are a processor, the UK GDPR places specific legal obligations on you; for example, you are required to maintain records of personal data and processing activities. You will have legal liability if you are responsible for a breach.
  • However, if you are a controller, you are not relieved of your obligations where a processor is involved – the UK GDPR places further obligations on you to ensure your contracts with processors comply with the UK GDPR.
  • The UK GDPR applies to processing carried out by organisations operating within the UK. It also applies to organisations outside the UK that offer goods or services to individuals in the UK.
  • The UK GDPR does not apply to certain activities including processing covered by the Law Enforcement Directive, processing for national security purposes and processing carried out by individuals purely for personal/household activities.
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