Legitimate Interest
Legitimate Interest is a lawful basis for processing personal data under data protection laws, where processing is necessary for the legitimate interests of a controller or a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject.
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Legitimate Interest is one of the six lawful bases for processing personal data. It allows organizations to process data without consent when it is in their legitimate interests to do so, provided that the processing does not disproportionately impact the rights and freedoms of the data subject.
To rely on Legitimate Interest, organizations must conduct a Legitimate Interest Assessment (LIA) to ensure that their interests are not overridden by the rights of the data subjects. This assessment should consider the necessity and proportionality of the processing, as well as the potential risks to the data subjects.
Legitimate Interest is a flexible basis for processing, but it requires careful consideration and documentation to ensure compliance with data protection laws and to maintain trust with data subjects.
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Related Terms
Data Subject Rights
Data Subject Rights refer to the rights granted to individuals under data protection laws, allowing them to control their personal data.
Data Processing Agreement (DPA)
A legally binding contract between a data controller and data processor that governs the processing of personal data. Required by GDPR Article 28, a DPA specifies the scope, purpose, and duration of processing, as well as the obligations of each party.
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