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Do I have to inform the data subjects about a breach?

Only if the breach is likely to result in a high risk to their rights and freedoms. With strong encryption or limited impact you can skip it, but you must justify why.

Try this first

  1. 1Assess the risk. What data, what consequences, how many people. Identity fraud, financial loss, reputational damage, discrimination are classic high-risk markers.
  2. 2Document why you do or do not inform. It is your call, but you must defend it to the AP.
  3. 3If informing: plain language, what leaked, what risk, what you are doing, what the subject can do, DPO or contact point.
  4. 4Use a channel you already use: email or letter. A site banner alone is not a direct notification under GDPR.
  5. 5Log the communication in the register: when, how, how many recipients.

When to bring us in

Doubt about high risk on medical or financial data? Default to informing. For large groups (>1000), get communications-specialist advice.

See also

None of the above fits?

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