What is the purpose of a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA)?

The purpose of a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is to assess how personal data handling affects individuals' privacy. A PIA systematically evaluates the potential privacy risks associated with a project or system that processes personal information. This assessment helps organizations identify and mitigate privacy risks before they adversely affect individuals. Conducting a PIA is crucial for ensuring compliance with privacy laws and regulations while fostering transparency and trust among users and stakeholders.

By focusing on the implications of data handling practices, a PIA empowers organizations to design better privacy protections and make informed decisions about data usage. This proactive approach is essential in today's data-driven environment, where personal information is increasingly at risk due to various factors including cyber threats, improper data handling, and unauthorized access.