OneTrust Certified Privacy Professional Practice Exam

Must a single personal data breach be reported to every affected individual?

1. Yes, every time

2. No, only if there's significant risk

3. Only to regulatory authorities

4. False

The correct answer is: False

In the context of data protection laws, it is essential to understand the obligations regarding the reporting of personal data breaches. Not every individual affected by a data breach must be notified in all circumstances. The correct response indicates that individuals do not have to be informed every time a personal data breach occurs. Instead, notification is typically required only when there is a significant risk to the rights and freedoms of those individuals. This aligns with the principle of proportionality in data protection regulations, where the impact of the breach is assessed to determine the necessity of informing affected individuals. This approach allows for a balanced response to breaches, ensuring that notifications are relevant and warranted based on the severity of the incident and the potential risk involved. In certain instances, notification may also be dependent on the specific requirements set forth by applicable laws, such as the GDPR, which focuses on the potential harm individuals might face from the breach. Therefore, the necessity to inform every affected individual hinges on the assessment of risk as opposed to an automatic requirement for all breaches.