OneTrust Certified Privacy Professional Practice Exam

How can organizations ensure lawful processing of personal data?

1. By having clear data subjects consent

2. By relying on verbal agreements

3. By informal data sharing activities

4. By limiting access to mediated parties

The correct answer is: By having clear data subjects consent

Having clear data subjects' consent is essential for organizations to ensure lawful processing of personal data. Consent serves as a fundamental basis under various data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For consent to be valid, it must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous. This means that data subjects should be fully aware of what they are consenting to, including the purposes of the data processing and any potential risks involved. By obtaining clear and explicit consent, organizations can demonstrate compliance with legal obligations and build trust with their customers. Consent provides individuals with a sense of control over their personal data, which is a cornerstone of many privacy frameworks. Additionally, consent can be revoked, allowing individuals to withdraw their permission at any time, which ensures ongoing compliance with privacy rights. In contrast, relying on verbal agreements, informal data sharing activities, and limiting access to mediated parties do not provide the same level of legal protection or accountability. Verbal agreements can lack the necessary documentation to prove that consent was given and understood, while informal sharing can lead to unauthorized access or misuse of data. Moreover, limiting access alone does not address the need for explicit consent in the processing of personal data.