Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (UK GDPR) ·

Article 34 Communication of a personal data breach to the data subject

Art. 34 · in force: yes

Captured statutory text (L5)

Article 34 Communication of a personal data breach to the data subject

(1)When the personal data breach is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, the controller shall communicate the personal data breach to the data subject without undue delay.

(2)The communication to the data subject referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall describe in clear and plain language the nature of the personal data breach and contain at least the information and measures referred to in points (b), (c) and (d) of Article 33(3).

(3)The communication to the data subject referred to in paragraph 1 shall not be required if any of the following conditions are met:

(a)the controller has implemented appropriate technical and organisational protection measures, and those measures were applied to the personal data affected by the personal data breach, in particular those that render the personal data unintelligible to any person who is not authorised to access it, such as encryption;

(b)the controller has taken subsequent measures which ensure that the high risk to the rights and freedoms of data subjects referred to in paragraph 1 is no longer likely to materialise;

(c)it would involve disproportionate effort. In such a case, there shall instead be a public communication or similar measure whereby the data subjects are informed in an equally effective manner.

(4)If the controller has not already communicated the personal data breach to the data subject, the Commission, having considered the likelihood of the personal data breach resulting in a high risk, may require it to do so or may decide that any of the conditions referred to in paragraph 3 are met.

Full captured verbatim text

(1) When the personal data breach is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons, the controller shall communicate the personal data breach to the data subject without undue delay.

(2) The communication to the data subject referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall describe in clear and plain language the nature of the personal data breach and contain at least the information and measures referred to in points (b), (c) and (d) of Article 33(3).

(3) The communication to the data subject referred to in paragraph 1 shall not be required if any of the following conditions are met:

(a) the controller has implemented appropriate technical and organisational protection measures, and those measures were applied to the personal data affected by the personal data breach, in particular those that render the personal data unintelligible to any person who is not authorised to access it, such as encryption;

(b) the controller has taken subsequent measures which ensure that the high risk to the rights and freedoms of data subjects referred to in paragraph 1 is no longer likely to materialise;

(c) it would involve disproportionate effort. In such a case, there shall instead be a public communication or similar measure whereby the data subjects are informed in an equally effective manner.

(4) If the controller has not already communicated the personal data breach to the data subject, the Commission, having considered the likelihood of the personal data breach resulting in a high risk, may require it to do so or may decide that any of the conditions referred to in paragraph 3 are met.

What this provision means

Model summary, checked against the text on the left.

Relevance to Signicat: 2/3 · detailed summary (L4) Status: not needed for a short provision · Stored artifact; current recipe verification unavailable

Controllers must communicate high-risk personal data breaches to affected data subjects without undue delay subject to specific exceptions.

Only the one-line summary above is stored for this provision; the text itself is the evidence.

Refers to

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 33

Referred to by

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 12

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 23

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 28

cross-reference internal_cite · Art. 83

Part summaries

0 of 0 parts have a verified summary.

L1 unavailable for current verification: the overall summary needs every part verified. Provisions and the verified summaries remain readable.

Verification findings (147)

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 main

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-1

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-2

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-3

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-4

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-4A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-5

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-6

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-7

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-8

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-8ZA

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-8A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-9

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-10

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-11

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-11A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-12

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-12A.

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-13

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-14

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-15

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-16

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-17

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-18

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-19

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-20

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-21

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-22

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-22A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-22B

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-22C

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 main

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-22D

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-23

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-24

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-25

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-26

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-27

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-28

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-29

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-30

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-31

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-32

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-33

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-34

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-35

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-36

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-37

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-38

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-39

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-40

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-41

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-42

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-43

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-44

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-44A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-45

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-45A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-45B

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-45C

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-46

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-47

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 main

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-47A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-48

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-49

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-49A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-50

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-51

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-52

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-53

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-54

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-55

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-56

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-57

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-58

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-59

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-60

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-61

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-62

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-63

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-64

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-65

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-66

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-67

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-68

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-69

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-70

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-71

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-72

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-73

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-74

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-75

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 main

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-76

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-77

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-78

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-79

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-80

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-81

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-82

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-83

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-84

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-84A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-84B

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-84C

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-84D

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-85

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-86

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-86A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-87

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-88

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-89

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-90

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-91

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-91A

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-92

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-93

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-94

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-95

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-96

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-97

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-98

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#article-99

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 annex-1

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-1

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-2

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-3

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-4

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-5

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-6

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-7

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-1-8

synthesis coverage: missing/unverified L2 annex-2

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-1

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-2

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-3

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-4

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-5

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-6

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-7

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-8

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-9

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-10

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-11

synthesis coverage: missing evaluation uk:eur/2016/679#annex-2-12

Instrument tier unavailable

Change history as published

Art. 44 omitted (5.2.2026) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 7 para. 2(1); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z9)

Art. 45 omitted (5.2.2026) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 7 para. 3; S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(z9)

Art. 48 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 41 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 53 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 47 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 54 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 48 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 55 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 50 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 56 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 51 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 59 omitted (20.8.2025) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 11 para. 12; S.I. 2025/904, reg. 2(y)

Ch. 7 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 55 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1) · repeated 17×

Art. 77 omitted (19.6.2026) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 103(6), 142(1); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 3(a) (with reg. 7)

Art. 81 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 60 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 87 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 67 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 88 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 68 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 89 omitted (5.2.2026) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 86(4), 142(1); S.I. 2026/82, reg. 2(n)

Art. 90 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 70 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 91 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 71 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Ch. 10 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 72 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1) · repeated 2×

Art. 97 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 76 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 98 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 77 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Art. 99 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 78 (with reg. 5, Sch. 1 para. 80); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Pending effects amendments not yet applied to this text

Art. 57(3)(4) word substituted by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 Sch. 3 para. 41(3)para. 41(4)(z1)(i) · Effective date unknown · Art. 57

Art. 57(2) word substituted by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 Sch. 3 para. 41(3)para. 41(4)(z1)(ii) · Effective date unknown · Art. 57

Art. 77 heading word substituted by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 Sch. 3 para. 41(3)para. 41(4)(z3)(i) · Effective date unknown · Art. 77

Art. 77(1)(2) word substituted by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 Sch. 3 para. 41(3)para. 41(4)(z3)(ii) · Effective date unknown · Art. 77

Art. 80(2) word substituted by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 Sch. 3 para. 41(3)para. 41(4)(z6) · Effective date unknown · Art. 80

Provenance

Every claim the system makes about this text is traceable to these identifiers.

Instrument: uk:eur/2016/679
Part
Version: b0e58b6afa250bd01c5afd9c…
Content hash: sha256 04ccf3e7a33f873a00afc352…
Source: legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679