Ace the Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) Challenge 2026 – Unlock Your Privacy Power!

The entity responsible for deciding the purposes for processing personal data is the data controller. This role is fundamental in data protection regulations, as the data controller determines why and how personal data is processed. The data controller is typically the organization or individual that collects personal data and decides how it will be used. This includes establishing the legal basis for processing, determining access to the data, and implementing necessary data protection measures.

In contrast, the data processor operates under the authority of the data controller and processes data on their behalf, without making decisions regarding the purposes of the data processing. A data inventory refers to a comprehensive record of data assets within an organization, but it does not make decisions regarding processing purposes. Lastly, a data breach respondent is involved in responding to data breaches, focusing on remediation and compliance, rather than deciding data processing purposes.