What is the responsibility of a data processor?

The responsibility of a data processor is to process personal data solely on behalf of the data controller. This means that data processors do not have the authority to make decisions regarding the purposes or methods of processing personal data; rather, they act under the direction and control of the data controller. The primary role of a data processor is to handle data as specified by the data controller, ensuring compliance with applicable data protection laws and regulations, such as the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada.

The distinction between a data controller and a data processor is critical in privacy law. The data controller is the entity that determines the purposes and means of processing personal data, while the processor merely follows the instructions of the controller. This relationship is crucial to maintaining accountability and ensuring that data is handled appropriately and securely.

Responsibilities, like ensuring the accuracy of personal data or analyzing it for trends, are typically obligations for the data controller or other roles within an organization, rather than those of a data processor, who must rely on the instructions given by the controller for any processing task.