What is a DPIA?
A Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) is a structured process to identify and minimise data protection risks of a project, system or processing activity — mandated by GDPR Article 35 when processing is “likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons”. KVKK Article 12 imposes parallel obligations on Turkish data controllers, with additional implementation guidance from VERBİS Tebliği and Kurul kararları.
When a DPIA is required
- Systematic and extensive evaluation based on automated processing, including profiling.
- Large-scale processing of special-category data (health, biometrics, race, religion, political opinion).
- Systematic monitoring of publicly accessible areas on a large scale.
- New technologies with significant risk implications (AI systems, biometric ID, IoT).
- EDPB list: EDPB and member-state DPAs publish lists of processing requiring DPIA.
Required DPIA content (GDPR Article 35(7))
- Description of processing operations and purposes.
- Assessment of necessity and proportionality.
- Assessment of risks to data subjects.
- Measures to address risks (safeguards, security, mechanisms).
DPIA vs. related assessments
- DPIA vs. FRIA (AI Act): DPIA is data protection focused; FRIA is broader fundamental rights focused; both may apply.
- DPIA vs. TIA: Transfer Impact Assessment specifically for international transfers post-Schrems II.
- DPIA vs. privacy risk assessment: DPIA is the GDPR-defined formal version.
Türk pratiğinde DPIA
KVKK kapsamında “Veri Koruma Etki Değerlendirmesi” terimi giderek yaygın; özellikle Aydınlatma Metni güncellemeleri ve VERBİS kaydı sırasında yapılır. KVKK Kurulu yüksek riskli işleme örnekleri yayınlıyor — biometrik kimlik, AI-tabanlı işe alım filtreleme, sağlık platformları DPIA gerektirir.
Do: conduct DPIA before launching new high-risk processing; document mitigations and revisit annually or on material changes.
Don’t: treat DPIA as a one-time tick-box — regulators expect living documents updated with system changes.