What is the function of a controller?

The function of a controller is to determine the ways of processing personal data. In the context of data protection and privacy regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the data controller is the entity that decides the purposes and means of processing personal data. This role encompasses a range of responsibilities, including establishing how personal data should be collected, used, stored, and shared, as well as ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

The controller decides on the data processing activities, such as what data to collect, how long to retain it, and the security measures that will be implemented to protect that data. This authority distinguishes the controller from other roles, like data processors, which handle data on behalf of the controller but do not have the authority to make decisions about data processing purposes or methods.

Understanding the controller's role is vital for ensuring proper management of personal data in any cloud-based or organizational environment focused on compliance and data protection.