Transparency
What is Transparency?
The principle that individuals should be clearly informed about how their personal data is being collected, used, and processed. Transparency is a foundational principle of GDPR and requires clear, plain language in privacy communications.
Terms that appear alongside transparency
Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as transparency. The number is how many controls name both.
- consent 77 shared controls
- gdpr 65 shared controls
- compliance 59 shared controls
- data subject 52 shared controls
- governance 48 shared controls
- accountability 47 shared controls
- audit 43 shared controls
- data protection 39 shared controls
Frameworks that govern transparency
What the standards actually require on transparency
Requirements naming transparency across 6 standards, quoted from the control text.
Secure explainability within a reasonable range about the origin of training data and the generated outputs, including proper protection of intellectual property and privacy, to build trust with stakeholders;
japan-ai-guidelines::GL13-2.2 · Article 13 Guideline 2(2) Transparency to build trust with stakeholders →Implement fit-for-purpose, proportionate transparency mechanisms for AI-generated content, as set out in the companion guidance 'Be clear about AI-generated content' (for example labelling and watermarking as defined in the glossary).
australia-guidance-for-ai-adoption-2025::4.4.1 · 4.4.1 Apply transparency mechanisms to AI-generated content →Providers of intermediary services (except micro/small enterprises that are not VLOPs) shall publish, at least annually, clear and comprehensible reports on any content moderation they engaged in during the period.
DSA-Art.15 · Transparency reporting obligations for providers of intermediary services →On request the controller must give the data subject the full text of the clauses used for the transfer (standard or specific clauses or global corporate rules), respecting commercial and industrial secrets, within 15 days unless ANPD regulation sets another p...
lgpd::Res19.Art17 · Resolution CD/ANPD 19/2024, Annex I, Arts. 17 and 32: Transparency about international transfers →Because Article 89(1) covers many methods and technologies, controllers may need safeguards beyond anonymisation or pseudonymisation, chosen for the risks of the method: governance structures such as internal or external review boards with data subject represe...
edpb-guidelines-1-2026-on-processing-of-personal-data-for-scientific-research-purposes::8.5 · 8.5 Select further safeguards fitted to the research method from the EDPB's menu: oversight governance, enhanced transparency, consent as a safeguard, strict purpose limits, PETs, secure environments, sharing rules, re-identification penalties, qualifications, training, publication protection, confidentiality →AI-related risk source: Where the system's workings or the reasons for its outputs cannot be understood, errors go undetected, accountability weakens and stakeholders lose trust.
iso-iec-23894-2023::B.3 · Lack of transparency and explainability →Questions people ask about transparency
What is Transparency?
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