A presentation given at the legal hackers meetup of 19 June 2018 on common issues with controller-to-processor agreements aka "data processor agreement" (DPA). We revisit the distinction controller v processor. We then look at the directly applicable duties for processors, which do not need to be inserted in a contract. Finally we look at the different mandatory and "forgotten" components of the agreement.

1. Controller-to-Processor
Agreements
Tommy Vandepitte

2. PLAYERS ON THE BOARD

3. Processor
A natural or legal person, public authority,
agency or other body
which processes personal data
on behalf of the controller
 Antagonist of controller

4. Controller
A natural or legal person, public authority,
agency or other body
which, alone or jointly with others,
determines the purposes and means of the
processing of personal data
 Siderule: Where the purposes and means of such processing are
determined by Union or Member State law, the controller or the specific
criteria for its nomination may be provided for by Union or Member State
law
 Next to (explicit or implicit) legal competence to “determine”, factual
influence, predictability and visibility (to the data subjects) play a role
 Determination of the purpose is most important, “essential” means follow

5. “Clear” cases
Processor
• Marketing campaign service provider
(paper, email, text)
• Payroll service provider
• Call center
• Service provider performing selection
tests and reporting back results
• Service provider that custom built an IT
solution and hosts it afterwards
• IaaS service provider
• PaaS service provider
• Telecom service provider for the
content of the messages
• Saas service provider (when not in the
situation of a monopoly?)
Controller
• Payment Employer (for HR data)
• Corporation (for shareholder data)
• Association (for member data)
• Bank (for AML, investment profile, ...)
• Service provider (for AML, transaction
data)
• Insurance company (for acceptance and
claims handling)
• Social networks using (some of) the
data for advertising
• Search engines using (some of) the data
for advertising
• Data broker
• Straff recruitment agencies (for the
pool of potential recruits)
• Building owner installing security
cameras independent of lessees

6. Harder cases
• Possibility of combination of roles !
– Bank or Insurance Broker (AML, advice of the
customer, transit of data in both acceptance and
claims process)
– Data broker both performing data enrichment
(delivering “enriching” data and performing the
enrichment on its platform)
• (Semi)monopolistic processor
• Processor that (over the years) has locked in
the controller

7. Harder cases
• Interim worker services providers /
consultancy firms bodyshopping “experts”
(e.g. Randstad, Adecco,...)
• Meal voucher service provider (e.g. Sodexho,
Monizze,...)

8. Sources
• Article 29 Working Party
– Opinion 1/2010 on the concepts of “controller”
and “processor”, WP 169, 16 February 2010
– Opinion 5/2009 on online social networking,
WP163, 12 June 2009
– Opinion 10/2006 on the processing of personal
data by SWIFT, WP128, 22 November 2006
• Brendan Van Alsenoy, Regulating Data
Protection, PhD Thesis KULeuven, 2016, 610 p.

9. PLAYER’S ACTIONS

10. Processor’s to dos
• Own obligations
– Warning controller (“sanity check”) – art. 28 §3
– DPO – art. 37 GDPR
– Processing register – art. 30 GDPR
– Security – art. 29 and 32 GDPR
– Data breach notification to controller – art. 33 §2
– Subprocessor(s) (selection, C’s approval, chain of
obligations, liability) – art. 28 §2, §3 d and §4
– Agreement with controller(s) – art. 28 §3

11. Controller’s to dos (wrt processors)
• Selection – art. 28 §1
– At start:
• RFP
• Asks the right questions (and proof) in selection process
– General questions / “google”
– Questionnaires
– Assurance
– In flight: prioritise for assessment of agreement and
follow-up
• priority to processors, then access to systems or premises
• priority to special categories of data, large numbers of data
subjects, large number of data, transfer outside of EU, ...
• assess if mere instructions would be sufficient
• Agreement – art. 28 §3

12. THE AGREEMENT

13. Exception of art. 28 §3
• Other legal act under Union or Member State law
– that is binding on the processor with regard to the
controller
– that sets out the same as the agreement
• the subject-matter and duration of the processing
• the nature and purpose of the processing
• the type of personal data and categories of data subjects
• the obligations and rights of the controller
– and contains the same stipulations as the agreement
• Examples ?
– Statutes generally do not meet the criteria

14. Paperwork
• New agreement: no (in general)
– If there is an agreement in place that met article 17 GDPD
(art. 16 Belgian Data Protection Act,...) then instructions to
fill the gaps could suffice
– Otherwise: amendment / schedule
• One schedule per type of processing / service delivery
contract ?
– No, a “frame schedule” is possible and preferable, even if
for contract management purposes it can be signed in
more copies to be able to add a copy to each agreement
• Future
– Data protection is just another item in the overall
agreement

15. Paper-work
• In writing
– On paper
– Digital
• Sign on papier, scan and upload
• Sign with qualified digital signature and upload
• Complete online in online platform
– via unique link : e.g. http://peppered.proposable.com/
– after unique login: e.g. https://loreal.service-now.com/

19. C2P Agreement
1. Describe processing
2. Obligations and rights of the controller
3. Instructions
4. Staff
5. Security
6. Subprocessors
7. Assistance
1. wrt data subjects’ rights
2. wrt security, data breach and DPIAs
8. End (destroy and/or return)
9. Proof (incl. audit)

20. Ref. C2P SCC 2010
Variation of the contract
The parties undertake not to vary or modify the
Clauses. This does not preclude the parties from
adding clauses on business related issues where
required as long as they do not contradict the
Clause.

21. Qualification?
• Obligation
– Not really
• Reality
– Often requested in the core of the agreement
– Parties explicitly named controller and processor
• Suggestion
– In the preamble at best, giving context and the reason
why an agreement is concluded that meets article 28
• What in case of disagreement?
– also put it in the preamble and that the agreement is
a compromise (e.g. between C2C and C2P)

22. Definitions?
• Obligation
– Not really
• Reality
– Often requested in the core of the agreement
• Suggestion
– In the preamble at best, refer that any terms defined
in the GDPR will be construed in line therewith
• What in case of disagreement?
– also put it in the preamble and that the agreement is
a compromise (e.g. between C2C and C2P)

23. Ref. C2P SCC 2010
For the purposes of the Clauses:
(a) 'personal data', 'special categories of data', 'process/processing', 'controller', 'processor', 'data subject' and
'supervisory authority' shall have the same meaning as in Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the
free movement of such data;
(b) 'the data exporter' means the controller who transfers the personal data;
(c) 'the data importer' means the processor who agrees to receive from the data exporter personal data intended for
processing on his behalf after the transfer in accordance with his instructions and the terms of the Clauses and who is
not subject to a third country's system ensuring adequate protection within the meaning of Article 25(1) of
Directive 95/46/EC;
(d) 'the subprocessor' means any processor engaged by the data importer or by any other subprocessor of the data
importer who agrees to receive from the data importer or from any other subprocessor of the data importer personal
data exclusively intended for processing activities to be carried out on behalf of the data exporter after the transfer in
accordance with his instructions, the terms of the Clauses and the terms of the written subcontract;
(e) 'the applicable data protection law' means the legislation protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of
individuals and, in particular, their right to privacy with respect to the processing of personal data applicable to a data
controller in the Member State in which the data exporter is established;
(f) 'technical and organisational security measures' means those measures aimed at protecting personal data against
accidental or unlawful destruction or accidental loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure or access, in particular where
the processing involves the transmission of data over a network, and against all other unlawful forms of processing.
Parties may reproduce definitions and meanings contained in Directive 95/46/EC within this Clause if they considered it
better for the contract to stand alone.

24. Description of the data processing
• Obligation: set out
– the subject-matter and duration of the processing
– the nature and purpose of the processing
– the type of personal data and categories of data subjects
• Reality
– Reference to the “main agreement”  not clear enough
– Reference to a schedule  not prefilled, discussion on the
level of detail
• Suggestion
– Reference to the controller’s part of the processing register
that has to be completed by the processor anyway
– Data map of the data processing (e.g. swimming lanes)

25. Ref. C2P SCC 2010
Details of the transfer
The details of the transfer and in particular the special categories of personal data where applicable are
specified in Appendix 1 which forms an integral part of the Clauses.
Appendix 1
This Appendix forms part of the Clauses and must be completed and signed by the parties.
The Member States may complete or specify, according to their national procedures, any additional necessary
information to be contained in this Appendix.
Data exporter
The data exporter is (please specify briefly your activities relevant to the transfer): …
Data importer
The data importer is (please specify briefly activities relevant to the transfer): …
Data subjects
The personal data transferred concern the following categories of data subjects (please specify): …
Categories of data
The personal data transferred concern the following categories of data (please specify): …
Special categories of data (if appropriate)
The personal data transferred concern the following special categories of data (please specify): …
Processing operations
The personal data transferred will be subject to the following basic processing activities (please specify): …

26. Obligations and rights
of the controller
• Obligation
– Set out the obligations and rights of the controller
• Reality
– Processor ask for reps and warranties by the
controller on compliance with the law
• Suggestion
– 100% compliance is impossible. Suffice with
championing / striving to compliance.
– Assess the different reps and warranties. If feasible
(the risk should logically be with the controller and is
under the control of the controller), accept them
and/or make them reciprocal (where such is a valid
request).

27. Ref. C2P SCC 2010
The data exporter agrees and warrants:
(a) that the processing, including the transfer itself, of the personal
data has been and will continue to be carried out in accordance with
the relevant provisions of the applicable data protection law (and,
where applicable, has been notified to the relevant authorities of the
Member State where the data exporter is established) and does not
violate the relevant provisions of that State;
(b) that it has instructed and throughout the duration of the personal
data processing services will instruct the data importer to process the
personal data transferred only on the data exporter's behalf and in
accordance with the applicable data protection law and the Clauses;
(c) that the data importer will provide sufficient guarantees in respect
of the technical and organisational security measures specified in
Appendix 2 to this contract;

28. Ref. C2P SCC 2010 - cont’d
(d) that after assessment of the requirements of the applicable data protection law, the security
measures are appropriate to protect personal data against accidental or unlawful destruction or
accidental loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure or access, in particular where the processing involves
the transmission of data over a network, and against all other unlawful forms of processing, and that
these measures ensure a level of security appropriate to the risks presented by the processing and the
nature of the data to be protected having regard to the state of the art and the cost of their
implementation;
(e) that it will ensure compliance with the security measures;
(f) that, if the transfer involves special categories of data, the data subject has been informed or will
be informed before, or as soon as possible after, the transfer that its data could be transmitted to a third
country not providing adequate protection within the meaning of Directive 95/46/EC;
(g) to forward any notification received from the data importer or any subprocessor pursuant to Clause
5(b) and Clause 8(3) to the data protection supervisory authority if the data exporter decides to continue
the transfer or to lift the suspension;
(h) to make available to the data subjects upon request a copy of the Clauses, with the exception of
Appendix 2, and a summary description of the security measures, as well as a copy of any contract for
subprocessing services which has to be made in accordance with the Clauses, unless the Clauses or the
contract contain commercial information, in which case it may remove such commercial information;
(i) that, in the event of subprocessing, the processing activity is carried out in accordance with Clause
11 by a subprocessor providing at least the same level of protection for the personal data and the rights
of data subject as the data importer under the Clauses; and
(j) that it will ensure compliance with Clause 4(a) to (i).

29. Instructions
• Obligation
– The processor processes the personal data only on documented
instructions from the controller, inclduing with regard to
transfers of personal data to a thrid country or an international
organisation, unless required to do so by Union or Member State
law to which the processor is subject; in such a case the
processor shall inform the controller of that legal requirement
before processing, unless that law prohibits such information on
important ground of public interest
• Reality
– Limitation of instructions due to the setup of the processor
– Instructions are handled like “change requests” which require
feasibility assessment, throughput time and extra cost
• Suggestion
– Include the wording as in the law, also refer to art. 29
– Clarify that unreasonable obstructions endanger qualification

30. Ref. C2P SCC 2010
The data importer agrees and warrants:
(a) to process the personal data only on behalf of the data exporter and in
compliance with its instructions and the Clauses; if it cannot provide such
compliance for whatever reasons, it agrees to inform promptly the data exporter
of its inability to comply, in which case the data exporter is entitled to suspend
the transfer of data and/or terminate the contract;
(b) that it has no reason to believe that the legislation applicable to it prevents it
from fulfilling the instructions received from the data exporter and its obligations
under the contract and that in the event of a change in this legislation which is
likely to have a substantial adverse effect on the warranties and obligations
provided by the Clauses, it will promptly notify the change to the data exporter as
soon as it is aware, in which case the data exporter is entitled to suspend the
transfer of data and/or terminate the contract;
(d) that it will promptly notify the data exporter about:
(i) any legally binding request for disclosure of the personal data by a law
enforcement authority unless otherwise prohibited, such as a prohibition under
criminal law to preserve the confidentiality of a law enforcement investigation,

31. What if the instruction is
(possibly) contrary to the law?
• Duty
– Inform
– Not: stop the business
• Liability
– Explicity refer it back to the controller

32. Example information letter
We have received your instruction dd. (date) to (brief recap of the
instruction).
In our opinion this instruction is contrary to the GDPR, more
particularly article (relevant articles and/or recitals).
Therefore we kindly refuse to execute that instruction.
We are open to any argument you may have as to how the instruction
is in line with the GDPR.
In any case, and especially should you force us to execute the
instruction, we will consider such further instruction to include a waiver
of any liability on our part and a commitment to – if necessary – to
hold us harmless should we suffer any damages (including any
reputational damage for us) as a consequence of execution on your
instruction.
We hope you understand that we had to bring this to your attention in
writing and with this level of gravity, as we consider informing you of
our opinion our duty under artikel 28 §3 in fine GDPR.

33. Staff
• Obligation
– The processor ensures that persons authorised to
process the personal data have committed themselves
to confidentiality or are under an appropriate
statutory obligation of confidentiality
• Reality
– art. 29 has direct effect
– controllers also want “purpose bound” and “integrity”
– controllers want organisational measures and proof
• Suggestion
– Include the wording as in the law, also refer to art. 29

34. Security
• Obligation
– The processor takes all measures required pursuant to
article 32.
• Reality
– Controllers want minimum technical and
organisational measures (especially if that is
considered essential e.g. for health data, financial
data,...) and assurance.
• Suggestion
– Include references to the industry standard and
internal policies, as the case may be, launch them as
instructions.
– In an RFP, make them part of the selection process.
– Strive for certification (e.g. ISO27000, ...)

35. Ref. C2P SCC 2010
The data importer agrees and warrants:
(c) that it has implemented the technical and
organisational security measures specified in
Appendix 2 before processing the personal data
transferred;
Appendix 2
Description of the technical and organisational security
measures implemented by the data importer in
accordance with Clauses 4(d) and 5(c) (or
document/legislation attached): …

36. Subprocessors
• Obligation
– The processor respects the conditions referred to in art. 28 §2
and §4 for engaging other processors.
• Reality
– Art. 28 §2 and §4 apply directly.
– Processors aim for general authorisations and short veto cycles;
controllers want more control.
– Processor may be hampered in is business when a subprocessor
is vetoed.
• Suggestion
– Controller: assess the risk and organise the relationship
management (and information to DPO) in case of notification.
– Avoid larger risks: prohibit extra EU transfers, transfer of high
risk data, large volumes of data without specific prior approval.
– In case of abuse, escalate internally, protect towards the
processor, and notify DPA.

37. Ref. C2P SCC 2010
The data importer agrees and warrants:
(h) that, in the event of subprocessing, it has
previously informed the data exporter and obtained
its prior written consent;
(i) that the processing services by the
subprocessor will be carried out in accordance with
Clause 11;
(j) to send promptly a copy of any subprocessor
agreement it concludes under the Clauses to the
data exporter.

38. Ref. C2P SCC 2010 – cont’d
Subprocessing
1. The data importer shall not subcontract any of its processing operations performed on behalf of the
data exporter under the Clauses without the prior written consent of the data exporter. Where the data
importer subcontracts its obligations under the Clauses, with the consent of the data exporter, it shall do
so only by way of a written agreement with the subprocessor which imposes the same obligations on
the subprocessor as are imposed on the data importer under the Clauses. Where the subprocessor fails
to fulfil its data protection obligations under such written agreement the data importer shall remain
fully liable to the data exporter for the performance of the subprocessor's obligations under such
agreement.
2. The prior written contract between the data importer and the subprocessor shall also provide for a
third-party beneficiary clause as laid down in Clause 3 for cases where the data subject is not able to
bring the claim for compensation referred to in paragraph 1 of Clause 6 against the data exporter or the
data importer because they have factually disappeared or have ceased to exist in law or have become
insolvent and no successor entity has assumed the entire legal obligations of the data exporter or data
importer by contract or by operation of law. Such third-party liability of the subprocessor shall be limited
to its own processing operations under the Clauses.
3. The provisions relating to data protection aspects for subprocessing of the contract referred to in
paragraph 1 shall be governed by the law of the Member State in which the data exporter is established,
namely (…)
4. The data exporter shall keep a list of subprocessing agreements concluded under the Clauses and
notified by the data importer pursuant to Clause 5 (j), which shall be updated at least once a year. The
list shall be available to the data exporter's data protection supervisory authority. This requirement
may be satisfied by the subprocessor co-signing the contract entered into between the data exporter
and the data importer under this Decision.

39. Assistance (1)
• Obligation
– The processor, taking into account the nature of the processing, assists
the controller by appropriate technical and organisational measures,
insofar as this is possible, for the fulfilment of the controller’s
obligation to respond to request for exercising the data subject’s rights
(chapter III).
• Reality
– The processor wants to be paid for his help, whereas the controller
needs to answer (in principle) without charging a cost.
– Often processor systems are not privacy-by-design (do not allow for
data export, data protability, data deletion, ...).
• Suggestion
– Include the wording as in the law
– Establish a reasonable cost / fee. Establish that if the answer cannot
(timely) be given due to the processor, no cost/fee is paid and the
liability thereof is on the processor.
– Design a roadmap to become privacy-by-design, where the cost should
be spread over all (GDPR subject) customers.

40. Ref. C2P SCC 2010
The data importer agrees and warrants:
(d) that it will promptly notify the data exporter
about:
(...)
(iii) any request received directly from the data
subjects without responding to that request,
unless it has been otherwise authorised to do so;

41. Assistance (2)
• Obligation
– The processor assists the controller in ensuring compliance
with the obligation pursuant to article 32 (security) taking
into account the nature of the processing and the
information available to the processor.
• Reality
– The processor does not want to commit to the unknown
and wants to be paid for any efforts.
– The controller wants to ensure his perimeter is secure.
• Suggestion
– Include the wording as in the law
– Set up a process / relationship management on
information security and data protection e.g. In the
foreseen monthly / quarterly / monthly meetings.

42. Assistance (3)
• Obligation
– The processor assists the controller in ensuring compliance with the obligation pursuant to
article 33-34 (data breach notification / communication) taking into account the nature of the
processing and the information available to the processor.
• Reality
– Processors ask that data leaks on the controller side are notified to them.
– Processors want to be sure that mere notification does not constitute proof of any breach of
duty on their part.
– Processors want to be paid for any effort.
– Processors do not want to notify data breaches that are not relevant for the controller.
– Controllers want to be sure of collaboration in such cases of crisis.
– Controllers want the processor to take up responsability / liability if the data breach is the
processor’s fault.
• Suggestion
– Include the wording as in the law, possible reference to 33 §2
– Limit the scope of notifications to those that are relevant (but be aware of incidents that may
have collateral damage, like instrusion in the network, malfunction of virtual servers, etc. for
which periodic statistic reporting may be a prudent approach )
– Include ISOs and DPOs in the relationship management
– Perform data breach exercises with the critical processors (against no or a reasonable fee)

43. Ref. C2P SCC 2010
The data importer agrees and warrants:
(d) that it will promptly notify the data exporter
about:
(...)
(ii) any accidental or unauthorised access, and
(…)

44. Assistance (4)
• Obligation
– The processor assists the controller in ensuring compliance with
the obligation pursuant to article 35-36 (DPIA/prior checking)
taking into account the nature of the processing and the
information available to the processor.
• Reality
– The processor wants to be paid for any extra efforts.
– Acts of the processor may trigger a DPIA (e.g. the tranfser
outside of the EU)
– The controller when performing a DPIA helps the processor in
his duty to have a processing register and setting up adequate
security measures.
• Suggestion
– Include the wording as in the law
– Perform the DPIA as part of the documentation of the
agreement

45. Duration ?
• Obligation
– Not really
• Reality
– Parties tend to define the duration of the
agreement as equal to the main agreement.
• Suggestion
– Define the duration of the agreement as equal to
the main agreement, with the clarification that
the indicated clauses or clauses that by their
nature survive, continue resorting effect.

46. End
• Obligation
– The processor at the choice of the controller, deletes or returns all the
personal data to the controller after the end of the provision of services
relating to processing, and deletes existing copies, unless Union or
Member State law requires storage of the personal data.
• Reality
– Processor has an issue with immediate deletion, e.g. in case of
potential liability claim later.
– Processor asks for a fee for the return of the data.
– What if the processor does not actually delete?
• Suggestion
– Include the wording as in the law
– Agree on retention period for the duration of a potential claim. As the
case may be, provide a specific statute of limitation, relief from claim,
and/or cooperation on proof in case of a(n externally triggered)
disputed.
– Insert the obligation to provide written assurance of deletion within x
days.

47. Ref. C2P SCC 2010
Obligation after the termination of personal data processing services
1. The parties agree that on the termination of the provision of data
processing services, the data importer and the subprocessor shall, at
the choice of the data exporter, return all the personal data transferred
and the copies thereof to the data exporter or shall destroy all the
personal data and certify to the data exporter that it has done so,
unless legislation imposed upon the data importer prevents it from
returning or destroying all or part of the personal data transferred. In
that case, the data importer warrants that it will guarantee the
confidentiality of the personal data transferred and will not actively
process the personal data transferred anymore.
2. The data importer and the subprocessor warrant that upon request
of the data exporter and/or of the supervisory authority, it will submit
its data processing facilities for an audit of the measures referred to in
paragraph 1.

48. Proof
• Obligation
– The processor makes available to the controller all information necessary to
demonstrate compliance with the obligations laid down in article 28 and allow
for and contribute to audits, including inspections, conducted by the controller
or another auditor mandated by the controller.
• Reality
– Processor does not want to provide “blanket” access for an audit.
– Processor wants to be paid for the time and other costs related to the audit.
– Controller should pay for the audit, even it if shows that the processors is not
performing as he should.
• Suggestion
– Include the wording as in the law
– The processor can / should at regular times provide for written assurance
which he can provide to all or multiple customers (e.g. ISAE 3402 SOC 2 type
II).
– Foresee for “lighter” assurance for non-critical processors, e.g. questionnaires.
– Audit will be paid by the controller, unless the audit finds (important)
shortcomings, in which case the audit should be paid by the processor, as well
as the remediation of such (important) shortcomings.

49. Ref. C2P SCC 2010
The data importer agrees and warrants:
(e) to deal promptly and properly with all inquiries from the
data exporter relating to its processing of the personal data
subject to the transfer and to abide by the advice of the
supervisory authority with regard to the processing of the
data transferred;
(f) at the request of the data exporter to submit its data
processing facilities for audit of the processing activities
covered by the Clauses which shall be carried out by the data
exporter or an inspection body composed of independent
members and in possession of the required professional
qualifications bound by a duty of confidentiality, selected by
the data exporter, where applicable, in agreement with the
supervisory authority;

50. Ref. C2P SCC 2010 – cont’d
Cooperation with supervisory authorities
1. The data exporter agrees to deposit a copy of this contract with the
supervisory authority if it so requests or if such deposit is required
under the applicable data protection law.
2. The parties agree that the supervisory authority has the right to
conduct an audit of the data importer, and of any subprocessor, which
has the same scope and is subject to the same conditions as would
apply to an audit of the data exporter under the applicable data
protection law.
3. The data importer shall promptly inform the data exporter about the
existence of legislation applicable to it or any subprocessor preventing
the conduct of an audit of the data importer, or any subprocessor,
pursuant to paragraph 2. In such a case the data exporter shall be
entitled to take the measures foreseen in Clause 5 (b).

51. Liability?
• Obligation
– Not really
• Reality
– processor wants no or capped liability, cap often being
a factor of the value of the contract / earnings on the
contract (e.g. 100% of last year’s paid service fees)
– judicial remedy (79), liability to DS (82), fines (83)
– ISPs: rec. 21 and article 2 §4  art. 12-15 Dir. 2000/31
• No liability for content transmitted or hosted
• Suggestion
– though one, what about coexistence of contractual
and tort law liability ?

52. Ref. C2P SCC 2010
Liability
1. The parties agree that any data subject, who has suffered damage as a result of any breach of the
obligations referred to in Clause 3 or in Clause 11 by any party or subprocessor is entitled to receive
compensation from the data exporter for the damage suffered.
2. If a data subject is not able to bring a claim for compensation in accordance with paragraph 1
against the data exporter, arising out of a breach by the data importer or his subprocessor of any of
their obligations referred to in Clause 3 or in Clause 11, because the data exporter has factually
disappeared or ceased to exist in law or has become insolvent, the data importer agrees that the data
subject may issue a claim against the data importer as if it were the data exporter, unless any successor
entity has assumed the entire legal obligations of the data exporter by contract of by operation of law,
in which case the data subject can enforce its rights against such entity.
The data importer may not rely on a breach by a subprocessor of its obligations in order to avoid its own
liabilities.
3. If a data subject is not able to bring a claim against the data exporter or the data importer referred
to in paragraphs 1 and 2, arising out of a breach by the subprocessor of any of their obligations referred
to in Clause 3 or in Clause 11 because both the data exporter and the data importer have factually
disappeared or ceased to exist in law or have become insolvent, the subprocessor agrees that the data
subject may issue a claim against the data subprocessor with regard to its own processing operations
under the Clauses as if it were the data exporter or the data importer, unless any successor entity has
assumed the entire legal obligations of the data exporter or data importer by contract or by operation
of law, in which case the data subject can enforce its rights against such entity. The liability of the
subprocessor shall be limited to its own processing operations under the Clauses.

53. Pay extra?
• Obligation
– Not really
• Reality
– Processors want to be paid for all or some additional
actions
• Suggestion
– No extra pay for own obligations
– Limited extra pay for extra services that are spread
over different customers
– Reasonable extra pay for extra services IF not caused
by law or processor lack of diligence (e.g. upgrade in
security that was long due, audit cost + remediation of
flaws found during audit, ...)

54. Applicable law?
• Obligation
– Not really, EU countries (from a data protection
perspective) considered equivalent (see e.g. art. 32)
• Reality
– processor often wants own law and jurisdiction (even
within the EU)
• Suggestion
– distinction between data processing and remainder of
the agreement (cf. standard contractual clauses)

55. Ref. C2P SCC 2010
Governing Law
The Clauses shall be governed by the law of the
Member State in which the data exporter is
established, namely (…)

56. Jurisdiction?
• Obligation
– Not really
• Reality
– Processor wants own, national courts
• Suggestion
– Insert an escalation process (RM, C-level, BoD-level)
– Use arbitration with specialists in DP, relevant
technology and relevant sector
– Leave it up to the supplementary rules of
international private law

57. Ref. C2P SCC 2010
Mediation and jurisdiction
1. The data importer agrees that if the data subject
invokes against it third-party beneficiary rights
and/or claims compensation for damages under the
Clauses, the data importer will accept the decision
of the data subject:
(a) to refer the dispute to mediation, by an
independent person or, where applicable, by the
supervisory authority;
(b) to refer the dispute to the courts in the Member
State in which the data exporter is established.

58. What if parties cannot agree?
• Obligation
– Obligation to have such an agreement in place
• Reality
– Disagreement on qualification
– Disagreement on “prescribed” clauses (subprocessors, ...)
– Disagreeent on “non-prescribed” clauses (liability,.
applicable law,..)
• Suggestion
– Qualification: letter that there is no need for an agreement
– Agreement on the agreed topics with the conclusion that
the other elements will be further negotiated
(immediately or as soon as more clarity if provided by the
DPAs)