What is the role of a data controller?

The role of a data controller is fundamentally about determining the purposes and means of processing personal data. This entity, whether a natural or legal person, assumes responsibility for deciding why and how personal data will be collected, used, and managed. In this capacity, the data controller is accountable for ensuring that the data processing complies with applicable data protection laws and regulations, such as obtaining consent from individuals and safeguarding their rights.

This position is central to data protection, as the controller shapes the framework within which personal data is handled, ensuring that the purposes of processing are legitimate and that the processing is fair, transparent, and compliant with the law. A data controller must also maintain proper documentation and implement measures that protect the data and the rights of the individuals whose data is being processed.

This contrasts with other roles mentioned in the options. For instance, a data processor acts on behalf of the data controller and does not determine the purposes of the processing; rather, they simply execute the instructions given by the data controller. A public authority monitoring compliance is involved in regulatory oversight, but they are not the entities that decide how data will be processed. Lastly, the individual whose personal data is being processed is the data subject, who has rights concerning their data but does not control its