Article 33 GDPR

← Article 33 - Notification of a personal data breach to the supervisory authority →
Chapter 1: General provisions Article 1: Subject-matter and objectives Article 2: Material scope Article 3: Territorial scope Article 4: Definitions Chapter 2: Principles Article 5: Principles relating to processing of personal data Article 6: Lawfulness of processing Article 7: Conditions for consent Article 8: Conditions applicable to child’s consent in relation to information society services Article 9: Processing of special categories of personal data Article 10: Processing of personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences Article 11: Processing which does not require identification Chapter 3: Rights of the data subject Article 12: Transparent information, communication and modalities for the exercise of the rights of the data subject Article 13: Information to be provided where personal data are collected from the data subject Article 14: Information to be provided where personal data have not been obtained from the data subject Article 15: Right of access by the data subject Article 16: Right to rectification Article 17: Right to erasure (‘right to be forgotten’) Article 18: Right to restriction of processing Article 19: Notification obligation regarding rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing Article 20: Right to data portability Article 21: Right to object Article 22: Automated individual decision-making, including profiling Article 23: Restrictions Chapter 4: Controller and processor Article 24: Responsibility of the controller Article 25: Data protection by design and by default Article 26: Joint controllers Article 27: Representatives of controllers or processors not established in the Union Article 28: Processor Article 29: Processing under the authority of the controller or processor Article 30: Records of processing activities Article 31: Cooperation with the supervisory authority Article 32: Security of processing Article 33: Notification of a personal data breach to the supervisory authority Article 34: Communication of a personal data breach to the data subject Article 35: Data protection impact assessment Article 36: Prior consultation Article 37: Designation of the data protection officer Article 38: Position of the data protection officer Article 39: Tasks of the data protection officer Article 40: Codes of conduct Article 41: Monitoring of approved codes of conduct Article 42: Certification Article 43: Certification bodies Chapter 5: Transfers of personal data Article 44: General principle for transfers Article 45: Transfers on the basis of an adequacy decision Article 46: Transfers subject to appropriate safeguards Article 47: Binding corporate rules Article 48: Transfers or disclosures not authorised by Union law Article 49: Derogations for specific situations Article 50: International cooperation for the protection of personal data Chapter 6: Supervisory authorities Article 51: Supervisory authority Article 52: Independence Article 53: General conditions for the members of the supervisory authority Article 54: Rules on the establishment of the supervisory authority Article 55: Competence Article 56: Competence of the lead supervisory authority Article 57: Tasks Article 58: Powers Article 59: Activity reports Chapter 7: Cooperation and consistency Article 60: Cooperation between the lead supervisory authority and the other supervisory authorities concerned Article 61: Mutual assistance Article 62: Joint operations of supervisory authorities Article 63: Consistency mechanism Article 64: Opinion of the Board Article 65: Dispute resolution by the Board Article 66: Urgency procedure Article 67: Exchange of information Article 68: European Data Protection Board Article 69: Independence Article 70: Tasks of the Board Article 71: Reports Article 72: Procedure Article 73: Chair Article 74: Tasks of the Chair Article 75: Secretariat Article 76: Confidentiality Chapter 8: Remedies, liability and penalties Article 77: Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority Article 78: Right to an effective judicial remedy against a supervisory authority Article 79: Right to an effective judicial remedy against a controller or processor Article 80: Representation of data subjects Article 81: Suspension of proceedings Article 82: Right to compensation and liability Article 83: General conditions for imposing administrative fines Article 84: Penalties Chapter 9: Specific processing situations Article 85: Processing and freedom of expression and information Article 86: Processing and public access to official documents Article 87: Processing of the national identification number Article 88: Processing in the context of employment Article 89: Safeguards and derogations relating to processing for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes Article 90: Obligations of secrecy Article 91: Existing data protection rules of churches and religious associations Chapter 10: Delegated and implementing acts Article 92: Exercise of the delegation Article 93: Committee procedure Chapter 11: Final provisions Article 94: Repeal of Directive 95: /46: /EC Article 95: Relationship with Directive 20: 02: /58: /EC Article 96: Relationship with previously concluded Agreements Article 97: Commission reports Article 98: Review of other Union legal acts on data protection Article 99: Entry into force and application

Legal Text

Article 33 - Notification of a personal data breach to the supervisory authority

1. In the case of a personal data breach, the controller shall without undue delay and, where feasible, not later than 72 hours after having become aware of it, notify the personal data breach to the supervisory authority competent in accordance with Article 55, unless the personal data breach is unlikely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons. Where the notification to the supervisory authority is not made within 72 hours, it shall be accompanied by reasons for the delay.

2. The processor shall notify the controller without undue delay after becoming aware of a personal data breach.

3. The notification referred to in paragraph 1 shall at least:

(a) describe the nature of the personal data breach including where possible, the categories and approximate number of data subjects concerned and the categories and approximate number of personal data records concerned;

(b) communicate the name and contact details of the data protection officer or other contact point where more information can be obtained;

(c) describe the likely consequences of the personal data breach;

(d) describe the measures taken or proposed to be taken by the controller to address the personal data breach, including, where appropriate, measures to mitigate its possible adverse effects.

4. Where, and in so far as, it is not possible to provide the information at the same time, the information may be provided in phases without undue further delay.

5. The controller shall document any personal data breaches, comprising the facts relating to the personal data breach, its effects and the remedial action taken. That documentation shall enable the supervisory authority to verify compliance with this Article.

Relevant Recitals

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Commentary

Overview

Article 33 GDPR imposes an obligation on data controllers to notify the competent supervisory authority without undue delay where a personal data breach is likely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons. The Article provides a non-exhaustive list of information that must be provided to the supervisory authority. It also outlines obligations imposed on data processors in such a scenario.

There was no equivalent to Article 33 GDPR under the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC. Instead, Article 17 of the Directive only required the data controller to take adequate measures to protect personal data from breaches.[1] Certain Member States, however, did provide for a similar obligation in their national law. This was the case for Germany[2] as well as Spain[3], for example.[4]

According to Bensoussan, the drafting of Article 33 GDPR drew inspiration from Article 4 ePrivacy Directive 2002/58/EC. The latter imposes a notification obligation on providers of electronic communication services. However, unlike Article 33 GDPR, the ePrivacy Directive imposes a broader obligation on electronic communication services as they must notify authorities of all breaches rather than only those which pose a risk to natural persons.[5]

“Personal data breach”.

From the outset, it is important to define “personal data breach” before establishing the point at which a data controller has a duty to notify the competent supervisory authority of such a breach.

Definition

According to Article 4(12) GDPR, a personal data breach refers to “a breach of security leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, personal data transmitted, stored or otherwise processed”. The Article 29 Working Party Guidelines on Personal data breach notification under Regulation 2016/679 (hereafter “WP29 Notification Guidelines”) provide further guidance on the matter. It clarifies that personal data breaches are types of “security incidents”. This entails that whilst all personal data breaches are security incidents, not all security incidents are personal data breaches.[6]

Whilst Tosoni divides this Article 4(12) GDPR into three key requirements[7], it may be more practical to divide it up differently. Accordingly, it is argued that Article 4(12) GDPR outlines that there is a personal data breach where there is:

-         (1) a “breach of security”;

-         (2) leading to the “accidental”, “unlawful” or “unauthorised”;

-         (3) “destruction”, “loss”, “alteration”, “disclosure of”, or “access to”; and

-         (4) “personal data transmitted, stored or otherwise processed”.

This division in four parts rather than three is to emphasise that the breach can be accidental as well unlawful or unauthorised and that it relates to already processed personal data.

Categories of breaches.

The WP29 outlines three distinct categories of personal data breaches. These include:

- “confidentiality breach” – a breach where personal data is disclosed accidentally or without authorisation.

- “integrity breach” – a breach where personal data is altered accidentally or without authorisation.

- “availability breach” – a breach where access to personal data or the personal data is destroyed accidentally or without authorisation.

It is possible for a breach to be a combination of all three types.[8]

Data controller action in the event of a personal data breach.

Article 33(1) GDPR outlines that data controller have an obligation to notify the competent supervisory authority of personal data breach once it has become aware of it.

Awareness of a data breach.

Article 33(1) GDPR establishes that there is obligation to notify the relevant supervisory authority only once the data controller becomes “aware” of a personal data breach. There is thus an awareness criteria to be fulfilled.

According to the WP29 Notification Guidelines, awareness entails having “reasonable certainty that a security incident has occurred which has led to personal data being compromised”[9]. This definition indicates a high threshold to prove awareness as it must be established that the data controller has “reasonable certainty”. Accordingly, there is a distinction between awareness as defined by WP29 and being informed of a potential breach.[10] Whilst being informed of a potential breach does not amount to “awareness”, it would trigger an obligation on the data controller to investigate further so as to determine[11] whether a breach of personal data has occurred.[12]

Condition of “risk”.

The obligation to notify the competent supervisory authority of a personal data breach is only triggered where the breach is likely to “result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons”. Therefore, the controller must ascertain whether a “risk” is likely to result from a personal data breach upon becoming aware of it.

Definition of risk.

The GDPR does not provide a clear definition of what a “risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons” entails. Recital 75 GDPR only outlines potential situations where such risk is likely to result. For example, there will be a risk to the rights and freedoms in situations where there is an identity theft, a data subject’s loss of control over their personal data or their inability to exercise related rights amongst other situations.[13] Some of these are reiterated in Recital 85 GDPR which relates more directly to Article 33 GDPR. Although Recital 85 GDPR labels these as “physical, material or non-material damage to natural persons” rather than “risk”, Recital 75 GDPR does equate likelihood of “physical, material or non-material damage” to a “risk”.[14]

It is also relevant to note that Article 33(1) GDPR stipulates that the data controller must assess the risk to “natural persons” rather than just “data subjects”. This suggests that the meaning of “risk” must be interpreted broadly as affecting natural persons generally rather than just a risk posed to specific data subjects affected by the breach.

Likelihood and severity of risk.

The WP29 Notification Guidelines attempts to go beyond the GDPR to provide further guidance on how to assess the risk. The Guidelines highlight that data controllers must objectively consider the likelihood and severity (as also mentioned in Recital 75 GDPR) of the impact of the breach on rights and freedoms.[15] They also outline that the data controller should consider:

- the category in which the breach falls);

- the quantity of personal data breached and its sensitivity;

- how easily individuals can be identified;

- how serious the consequences of the breach are to individuals;

- whether individuals affected are particularly vulnerable;

- whether the data controller has a particular role that may entail a higher risk (e.g. a health-related controller); and

- the size of the breach in terms of numbers of individuals affected.[16]

It is important to emphasise that only the likelihood of a risk is required for to trigger the notification obligation. Therefore, the data controller does not need to have absolute certainty that a breach has occurred before it takes further steps to comply with Article 33 GDPR.

Notifying the competent supervisory authority without undue delay.

Competent supervisory authority.  

Once the data controller has become aware of a personal data breach likely to “result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons”, Article 33(1) GDPR stipulates that the data controller must notify the “supervisory authority competent in accordance with Article 5”. Article 55 GDPR will provide further clarity as to which authority must be notified.

As per Recital 87 GDPR, the supervisory authority may then intervene “in accordance with its tasks and powers” as a result of the Articles 55 to 59 GDPR.

Notifying without undue delay: general “72 hours” rule.  

Notifying the relevant supervisory authority must occur “without undue delay” according to Article 33(1) GDPR. The obligation to act in a timely manner begins as soon as the data controller is “aware” (see above) of a personal data breach with the relevant level of risk.

According to Recital 87 GDPR, the assessment of whether the data controller acted without undue delay “should be established taking into account in particular the nature and gravity of the personal data breach and its consequences and adverse effects”. Although this Recital suggests that condition of “without undue delay” is circumstance-specific, Article 33(1) GDPR provides a general rule to satisfy this obligation: “where feasible”, the data controller must notify the relevant authority within a maximum of “72 hours”.

It is crucial that data controllers comply with this time condition as the reason for imposing time condition to the notification obligation is to limit the damage to natural personals affected by the personal data breach.[17]

Notifying without undue delay: after 72 hours. 

As Article 33(1) GDPR only requires data controllers to notify the competent supervisory authority within 72 hours “where feasible”, it suggests that there may be cases where data controllers are permitted to take longer than 72 hours.

The final sentence of Article 33(1) GDPR provides that if the data controller fails to notify the supervisory authority within the stipulated 72 hours, it shall provide “reasons”. This further suggests that there are cases where taking longer than 72 hours to notify the relevant supervisory authority is still permissible under the GDPR.[18]

Recital 88 provides an example of where notifying the supervisory authority after 72 hours is permissible. In circumstances where a rapid notification would “hamper” an investigation conducted by law enforcement authorities, the data controller has a valid reason for not complying with the generally applicable time condition in Article 33(1) GDPR.[19] It would presumably not be in breach of Article 33 GDPR in that case.

Regardless of whether the delayed notification is justified or not, the data controller must provide an explanation outlining why notifying the relevant authorities within 72 hours was not feasible (Article 33(1) GDPR).

Notifying without undue delay: notification in phases. 

There are also circumstances where the data controller can only notify the competent authority in phases. This option, outlined in Article 33(4) GDPR, is only permissible “in so far as, it is not possible to provide the information at the same time”. Again, there is the requirement that this should be “without undue further delay”. The WP29 further suggests that the data controller should also provide an explanation as to why it had notified the supervisory authority in phases.[20]

In any case, the possibility of notifying the supervisory authority in phases should not become common practice for data controllers.[21]

Implications of satisfying the time conditions.

It is relevant to note that the speed at which the data controller notifies the supervisory authority of the breach was a factor considered by the French DPA (CNIL) when assessing the level of the fine it sought to impose on a data controller for the data breach in the first place[22]. As a result of this decision, it is possible to argue that the timely response may be used to mitigate the fine imposed.

Conversely, the data controller is deemed to have failed in its obligations pursuant to Article 33 GDPR where it does not notify the competent supervisory authority “without undue delay”.[23] This would therefore amount to a punishable breach of the Article and may justify imposing a greater fine on the data controller.

Details of the notification.

Article 33(3) GDPR provides of a list of the details that must be included in a notification to a supervisory authority. It is important to note that the phrase “shall at least […]” is used. Therefore, although the notification must include the elements enumerated from Article 33(3)(a) to (d) GDPR, the data controller may provide further information to the competent supervisory authority.

Details to include: nature of the breach.

According to Article 33(3)(a) GDPR, the data controller must “describe the nature of the personal data breach” to the supervisory authority. This must include the categories and approximate number of data subjects concerned as well as the categories and approximate number of personal data records concerned.

The GDPR does not provide additional information as to what these “categories” mean in this context. However, the WP29 suggests that this may be an attempt to identify various types of individuals at risk of damage due to the data breach[24], as well as different types of records processed by the data controller. [25]

The WP29 Notification Guidelines further clarify that data controllers should not rely on the absence of specific numbers of data subject or personal data records concerned as a reason to evade its obligation to notify the competent supervisory authority. Instead, the controller can provide approximate numbers.[26] 

Details to include: point of contact.

Article 33(3)(b) GDPR provides that notification to the supervisory authority must include the details of a point of contact. This would allow the supervisory authority to request further information should they need to for the purpose of carrying out an investigation.  

The Article specifies that the name and contact details of the data controller’s data protection officer are required. Alternatively, the data controller may provide details of a “point of contact” other than the data protection officer if this point of contact is able to provide further information should the supervisory authority require it.

Details to include: consequence of the breach.

Article 33 (3)(c) GDPR requires the data controller to describe “likely consequences” of the data breach in its notification to the supervisory authority. It is important to note that such consequences do not need to have materialised before being included in the notification to the authority.

Although Recital 87 GDPR seems to distinguish “consequences” from “adverse effects” of a breach, it is argued that adverse effects is a subcategory of the consequences. Therefore, it is possible to look at the potential adverse effects listed in Recital 85 GDPR. The Recital enumerates various examples of “physical, material or non-material damage to natural persons” caused by a personal data breach[27].

Details to include: measures taken or proposed.

Finally, Article 33(3)(d) GDPR stipulates that the data controller must outline any measures it has taken or plans to take to respond to the personal data breach. The data controller must also describe the measures taken or planned to mitigate any adverse effects by the controller to address breach AND measures to mitigate possible adverse effect.

Additional details.

As mentioned, the data controller can provide further information than that required pursuant to Article 33(3)(a) to (d) GDPR.

It is important to note that Recital 88 GDPR indicates that the “rules concerning format and procedures applicable to the notification of personal data breaches” depend on the particular circumstances of each breach.[28] Therefore, any additional information that should be provided will differ according to each breach.

The WP29 Notification Guidelines provides an example of additional information that can be provided: the data controller can name the data processor responsible for the personal data breach. This may help other data controllers, which rely on services provided by the same processor, to take necessary measures against additional personal data breaches.[29]

Obligation to document the breach.

Article 33(5) GDPR outlines that the data controller must always document personal data breaches it is made aware of. The documentation must include:

- the facts of the breach;

- the effects it has; and

- the remedial action taken by the controller.

It is important to note that this applies to “all” breaches, regardless of the potential risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons. This obligation is linked to the accountability principle under Article 5(2) GDPR.[30] Whilst this documentation is to help the supervisory authority in its duties, it can also benefit the data controller. The data controller may rely on it to justify their decision not to notify the supervisory authority of a breach where it considers that there is no likely risk.

Data processors action in the event of a personal data breach

Article 33(2) GDPR outlines that data processors have an obligation to notify the data controller of a personal data breach once it has become aware of it.

Awareness.

Article 33(2) GDPR outlines that data processors have the obligation to notify the data controller once it is “aware” of a personal data breach.

The GDPR does not elaborate much on this provision. However, it is suggested that the definition of awareness similarly applies to Article 33(2) GDPR.

Notifying the data controller without undue delay.

There is a specific notification obligation imposed on the data processor as a result of Article 33(2) once awareness has been established.

Notifying the data controller.

According to Article 33(2) GDPR, the data processor has the obligation to notify the data controller, rather than the competent supervisory authority, of a personal data breach it is made aware of. It is relevant to note that the data controller will become “aware” of the breach as soon as the data processor notifies him of a breach.[31]

This duty to notify the data controller falls in line with other obligations imposed by the GDPR on data processors. Article 33(2) GDPR provides further guidance into the relationship between a data controller and a data processor.  

Article 28(3) GDPR is helpful to understand the duty to notify pursuant to Article 33(2) GDPR. Services provided to a data controller by a data processor must be “governed by a contract or other legal act […]” according to Article 28(3) GDPR. In addition, Article 28(3)(f) GDPR specifically requires that this contract or legal act stipulate that the data processor “shall” support the data controller in ensuring compliance with obligations found under Article 32 to 36 GDPR.

Therefore, a contract between the data controller and processor will specify how the obligation found within Article 33(2) must be complied with.[32] It possible for the data controller to stipulate within its contract with the data processor that the latter must notify the supervisory authority directly in the event of a breach. However, the WP29 Notification Guidelines provide the reminder that the legal responsibility to notify will remain with the controller regardless of such a contract.[33] 

Risk of the breach?

Article 33(2) GDPR does not require the data processor to assess the likelihood of the risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons.

Instead, it appears that the data processor must report any personal data breach to the data controller. The latter will then assess the risk and notify the supervisory authority should the relevant risk level manifest itself.[34]

Again, the data controller can impose an obligation on the data controller to assess the risk level through their contractual arrangement pursuant to Article 28(3) GDPR. As above, the legal responsibility will nonetheless remain with the data controller.

Timing condition?

Article 33(2) GDPR does not specify any timing condition other than “without undue delay”. Whilst this does not have a time limit such as 72 hours, the WP29 suggests that the data processor must do so “promptly”.[35]

The contract between the data controller and the data processor, pursuant to Article 28(3) GDPR may stipulate the specific time frame in which the processor must notify the data controller.[36]

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[1] Cedric Burton, “Article 33. Notification of a personal data breach to the supervisory authority” in Christopher Kuner, Lee A. Bygrave, Christopher Docksey, and and Laura Dreachsler (eds), The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – A Commentary (Oxford University Press 2020) 642.

[2] Section 42(a) German Federal Data Protection Act 2017.

[3] Spanish Data Protection Law 2007.

[4] Burton (n1) 643.

[5] Alain Bensoussan, Reglement europeen sur la protection des donnees (2^nd edn, Bruylant 2017) 250.

[6] WP29, “Guidelines on Personal data breach notification under Regulation 2016/679”, adopted on 3 October 2017; as last revised and adopted on 6 February 2018, 18/EN, WP 250 rev.01, 7.

[7] (1) violation of security measures; (2) leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, data; and (3) which qualify as “personal data”. See Luca Tosoni, “Article 4(12). Personal data breach” in Christopher Kuner, Lee A. Bygrave, Christopher Docksey, and and Laura Dreachsler (eds), The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – A Commentary (Oxford University Press 2020) 191.

[8] WP29 (n6) 7-8.

[9] Ibid 11.

[10] Ibid.

[11] i.e. gain “awareness”.

[12] WP29 (n6) 12.

[13] See Recital 75 above for more examples.

[14] In any case,

[15] WP29 (n6) 22.

[16] Ibid 24-26.

[17] See Recital 85.

[18] WP29 (n6) 16.

[19] See Recital 88, which stipulates that “[…] rules and procedures [concerning the format and procedures applicable to the notification of personal data breaches] should take into account the legitimate interests of law-enforcement authorities where early disclosure could unnecessarily hamper the investigation of the circumstances of a personal data breach”.

[20] WP29 (n6) 15.

[21] Ibid 16.

[22] CNIL Delib. SAN-2017-010, 18-7-2017.

[23] WP29 (n6) 13.

[24] E.g. “children” would be a type of individuals compared to “employees” as another type.

[25] E.g. “health” would be a type of personal data records compared to “financial details” as another type. See WP29 (n6) 14.

[26] Ibid 14.

[27] “[…] loss of control over their personal data or limitation of their rights, discrimination, identity theft or fraud, financial loss, unauthorised reversal of pseudonymisation, damage to reputation, loss of confidentiality of personal data protected by professional secrecy or any other significant economic or social disadvantage […]”

[28] See Recital 88 “In setting detailed rules concerning format and procedures applicable to the notification of personal data breaches, due consideration should be given to the circumstances of that breach, including whether or not personal data had been protected by appropriate technical protection measures, effectively limiting the likelihood of identity fraud or other forms of misuse. […].”

[29] WP29 (n6) 15.

[30] Burton (n1) 649.

[31] Ibid 647.

[32] WP29 (n6) 13.

[33] Ibid 14.

[34] In compliance with its own data controller obligations pursuant to Article 33(1).

[35] WP29 (n6) 14.

[36] Ibid 14.

Decisions

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