Data Processing Agreement
Data processing agreement (Auftragsverarbeitung) refers to the contractually regulated processing of personal data by an external service provider on behalf of a data controller, as defined in Art. 28 GDPR. It ensures that data is only processed according to documented instructions and that appropriate technical and organizational measures are maintained. For businesses with a web presence, a proper DPA is indispensable for avoiding fines and liability risks.
When does data processing apply?
Data processing applies whenever an external service provider gains access to Personal data and processes it on behalf of the controller. Typical examples include hosting providers, newsletter tools, or cloud services. The key factor is that the service provider does not use the data independently but acts exclusively on the controller's instructions.
Why is this legally relevant?
Without a data processing agreement (DPA), using external services poses significant data protection risks. The GDPR requires companies to clearly define responsibilities and document appropriate technical and organizational measures. This particularly concerns topics like Data minimization , Server location , and the integration of Third-party providers systems.
Practical perspective
In professional Website development , data processing requirements are already considered when selecting hosting providers, analytics tools, or external APIs. A GDPR-compliant architecture takes into account SSL certificate , access restrictions, and server-side measures such as Server-side validation . The goal is secure and transparent data processing.
How we use it
At BTECH Solutions, we sign a DPA with every external service before it is integrated into a project. Our hosting at All-Inkl with Server location in Germany natively meets GDPR requirements. For analytics, we rely on cookieless, server-side tracking without Third-party providers dependencies. Even with our Django backend integration, we document all data flows and regularly verify that Secret Management policies are being followed.