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Risk & Compliance

Privacy Officer versus Data Protection Officer: the differences

Date:February 20, 2023

The management of an organization is responsible for the handling of personal data and correct compliance with the AVG. It can be supported in this by an employee with a specific set of tasks, often called Privacy Officer (PO). In a number of cases, such as government agencies and organizations that process personal data on a large scale, the organization is required by law to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO).

Privacy Officer vs Data Protection Officer

The management of an organization is responsible for handling personal data and complying with the GDPR. It can be supported in this by a Privacy Officer (PO). In a number of cases, such as government agencies and organizations that process personal data on a large scale, the organization is required by law to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO).
So what exactly is the difference between a PO and a DPO?

Privacy OfficerData Protection Officer
RoleFirst line
Delegated responsible
Second line
Independent advisor
Formal role, registered with the Personal Data Authority (AP)
Focus
Proactive advice and thinking from the perspective of organizational interests
Independent signaling and reporting
Tasks
The privacy officer not only monitors the handling of personal data, but also has an advisory role
Advise staff on privacy-related matters and provide training to increase internal knowledge in this area
Assist in conducting a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) and in assessing and reporting data breaches
Liaise with data subjects and the DPO
Drafting, evaluating and updating privacy policies and processor agreements

Supervise the handling of personal data and report on this to management
Advise staff on privacy-related issues and provide training to increase internal knowledge in this area
Assist in carrying out a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) and in assessing data breaches
Liaise with data subjects and the DPO
Other requirementsThe DPO may not receive instructions regarding the performance of his duties Dismissal or other sanctions as a result of the performance of the DPO’s duties are not permitted, except in the case of poor performance
The DPO may not hold outside positions that could potentially lead to conflicts of interest

Which fits your organization?

The above comparison shows well how much overlap the two positions have. The main difference is that the Data Protection Officer focuses on oversight, while the Privacy Officer also has an important role in policy development and implementation. Ideally, the roles of PO and DPO should remain separate. The executive role of the PO may cause him to experience pressure from within the organization. After all, independently assessing whether self-created policies are adequate and complied with is almost impossible. Therefore, even organizations for whom it is not mandatory in practice often choose to appoint a DPO as an independent supervisor.

We are happy to help you determine which officer is best suited for your organization. Contact our privacy specialists without obligation or read more about our External Privacy Officer and External Data Protection Officer services.