GDPR Glossary

What is Profiling?

GDPR Glossary

Automated processing that evaluates personal aspects of someone — like performance, interests, behaviour or location.

Profiling is any automated processing that uses personal data to evaluate or predict aspects of a person — work performance, economic situation, health, preferences, behaviour, location or movements.

It is lawful with a basis and safeguards, but triggers transparency duties and interacts with the rules on automated decision-making.

In the Regulation

Art. 4 DefinitionsArt. 22 Automated decision-making and profilingArt. 21 Right to object

Related terms

Automated decision-makingDecisions made solely by automated means — with special safeguards where they have legal or similarly significant effects.Right to objectThe right to object to processing based on legitimate interests or public task — and an absolute right to stop direct marketing.

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