Compliance

Privacy Impact Assessment

A systematic process for evaluating how a project or system will affect the privacy of individuals.

A Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is a systematic process for identifying and evaluating the potential privacy impacts of a project, system, or initiative on individuals.

PIA vs DPIA

While often used interchangeably, there is a subtle distinction:

  • A PIA is a broader concept used in many jurisdictions and frameworks
  • A DPIA (Data Protection Impact Assessment) is the specific, legally mandated assessment under GDPR Article 35

In practice, the terms are frequently used as synonyms.

When to Conduct a PIA

  • Before launching a new product or service that processes personal data
  • Before implementing new technology (AI, biometrics, IoT)
  • When making significant changes to existing data processing
  • When processing sensitive categories of data

GDPR Article 35 (as DPIA). CCPA/CPRA also require risk assessments for certain processing.

Related Terms

Personal DataPrivacy

Any information that can identify a living individual, directly or indirectly.

Privacy by DesignPrivacy

An approach that embeds privacy protections into systems and processes from the start, rather than adding them later.

DPIAPrivacy

Data Protection Impact Assessment — a risk assessment required before high-risk data processing activities.

GDPRLegal

The General Data Protection Regulation — the EU's comprehensive data protection law, effective since May 2018.

Personal DataPrivacy Notice