The GDPR does not explicitly require organizations to publish their Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs). However, WP29 guidance encourages controllers to consider publishing all or part of a DPIA to foster trust and demonstrate accountability.
Why Publish a DPIA?
- Enhances transparency – Helps build public confidence in data processing activities.
- Demonstrates accountability – Shows compliance with GDPR obligations.
- Recommended for public-impact processing – Publishing is considered best practice when processing affects the general public.
What Should Be Published?
Organizations do not need to release the full DPIA report. Instead, they can choose to:
- Publish a summary outlining key findings.
- Issue a statement confirming that a DPIA was conducted.
- Redact sensitive details to balance transparency with confidentiality.
Supervisory Authority (SA) Guidance
- Norwegian & Luxembourg SAs recommend publishing DPIAs (or summaries) to build trust.
- Irish DPC advises that whether a DPIA will be published may influence the level of detail included in the final report.
Key Takeaways
- DPIA publication is not mandatory but is encouraged for transparency.
- A full report is not required—a summary or confirmation statement is often sufficient.
- Publication is especially important for public-impact processing.
- Controllers should balance transparency with confidentiality when deciding what to disclose.
By publishing DPIAs (or summaries), organizations can reinforce public trust and demonstrate proactive compliance with GDPR requirements.