DPIA
Data Protection Impact Assessment (per GDPR).
How the laws define this
Every cited framework establishes a DPIA as a structured process or assessment designed to identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks to the privacy of individuals or data subjects when handling high-risk data processing or new technologies. Where these instruments diverge is in their legal grounding and operational context. The Regulatory Sandbox for Artificial Intelligence (Regulatorisk sandkasse for AI) – Datatilsynet & Digitaliseringsstyrelsen explicitly anchors the DPIA as a legal requirement under the GDPR, applying it within a sandbox to guide project scope, mitigations, and compliance recommendations. Similarly, the Datatilsynet Regulatory Sandbox for privacy-friendly innovation and AI (Sandbox for Responsible AI) focuses on using this assessment to document risks and establish monitoring plans and required mitigations specifically for sandbox projects. Conversely, the Projet de loi organique relatif à la protection des données à caractère personnel (2025) defines the mechanism more broadly as a general process for high-risk projects or technologies, without restricting its purpose to a regulatory sandbox or referencing the GDPR.
Synthesised from the 3 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
How jurisdictions differ
What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.
| Jurisdiction | Instrument | Status | What is distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | Regulatory Sandbox for Artificial Intelligence | In Force | Specifies that DPIA evaluates risks from processing operations likely to result in high risk and within the sandbox informs scope, mitigations and compliance recommendations. |
| Norway | Datatilsynet Regulatory Sandbox for privacy-friendly innovation and AI (Sandbox for Responsible AI) | In Force | Describes DPIA as structured to identify, evaluate and document privacy risks from a project and specify mitigations used in sandbox for monitoring plans. |
| Tunisia | Organic Bill on the Protection of Personal Data (2025) | Proposed | Limits DPIA to a process for identifying and mitigating privacy risks in new projects or technologies involving high-risk data processing. |
What it triggers
Definitions (3)
A DPIA is an assessment required under the GDPR to evaluate the risks to data subjects from processing operations, especially where processing is likely to result in high risk; within the sandbox it informs scope, mitigations and compliance recommendations.
A structured assessment to identify, evaluate and document risks to individuals' privacy arising from a project and to specify mitigation measures; used in the sandbox to inform required mitigations and monitoring plans for high‑risk processing.
A process used to identify and mitigate risks to the privacy of individuals when a new project or technology involves high-risk data processing.
Not to be confused with
AI Impact Assessment is a documented risk and harms analysis before AI deployment, while DPIA focuses on privacy risks from data processing.
Questions and answers
What is a DPIA in Denmark's AI Regulatory Sandbox?
A DPIA evaluates risks to data subjects from processing operations likely to result in high risk. Within the sandbox, it informs scope, mitigations and compliance recommendations.
How is DPIA used in Norway's AI sandbox?
It is a structured assessment to identify, evaluate and document privacy risks from a project and specify mitigation measures. In the sandbox, it informs mitigations and monitoring plans for high-risk processing.
What does DPIA mean under Tunisia's proposed data protection bill?
It is a process to identify and mitigate risks to individuals' privacy when a new project or technology involves high-risk data processing.
Related Terms
Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)
Systematic analysis of privacy risks and mitigations for AI systems....
Data Protection Authority (DPA)
Independent supervisory body for data protection matters....
Large‑scale Processing
Processing of personal data involving significant scope, volume or impact....
AI Impact Assessment
Documented risk and harms analysis before AI deployment....
Discrimination Impact Assessment (DIA)
Assessment of potential discriminatory impacts of an AI system....