data protection officer

A data protection officer (DPO) ensures within an organization that the laws protecting individuals' personal data are implemented. The designation, position and tasks of a DPO within an organization are described in Articles 37, 38 and 39 of the European Union (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Many other countries require the appointment of a DPO, and it is becoming more prevalent in privacy legislation. The ability of a DPO to operate independently is considered to be "of utmost importance". According to the GDPR, the DPO should report directly to the highest management level. This does not mean that the DPO has to be directly managed at this level, but they must have direct access to give advice to senior managers who are making decisions about personal data processing. Th...