CIPP-E IAPP Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E) Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

According to the GDPR, consent is one of the six lawful bases for processing personal data, but not the only one. The other five are: contract, legal obligation, vital interests, public task and legitimate interests. Legitimate interests can be invoked by controllers who process personal data for their own benefit or for the benefit of third parties, as long as such processing does not override the rights and freedoms of the data subjects, especially if they are children. The GDPR also recognizes that processing personal data for journalistic purposes or the purposes of academic, artistic or literary expression may be necessary for the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and information, which is a legitimate interest. Therefore, the company may not need to obtain the consent of everyone whose image they use for their documentary, if they can demonstrate that their processing is necessary for the purposes of their journalistic, artistic or literary expression, and that they have taken into account the reasonable expectations of the data subjects and the potential impact on their privacy. The company should also comply with any relevant national laws or codes of conduct that may apply to such processing. References:

GDPR, Article 6(1)(a)-(f)

GDPR, Recital 47

GDPR, Article 85

 The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) are derived from the e-privacy Directive 2002/58/EC, which aims to protect the privacy and confidentiality of users of electronic communications services. The PECR cover various aspects of electronic marketing, such as the use of cookies, unsolicited communications, and traffic and location data. According to the PECR, the following marketing-related activities require the consent of the user or subscriber, unless certain exemptions apply:

The use of cookies or similar technologies to store or access information on the user’s device (Regulation 6).

The sending of electronic mail for direct marketing purposes to individual subscribers who have not given their prior consent (Regulation 22).

The making of unsolicited calls for direct marketing purposes to individual subscribers who have registered their number with the Telephone Preference Service or who have objected to such calls from a specific caller (Regulation 21).

The sending of unsolicited communications for direct marketing purposes by means of electronic mail, fax, or automated calling systems to corporate subscribers, unless they have indicated that they do not wish to receive such communications (Regulation 23).

Therefore, among the four options, the one that is least likely to be covered by the provisions of the PECR is the advertisements passively displayed on a website, as they do not involve the use of cookies, the sending of unsolicited communications, or the processing of traffic or location data. However, such advertisements may still be subject to other data protection laws, such as the GDPR, if they involve the processing of personal data of the users.

References:

PECR

e-privacy Directive

ICO guide to PECR

 A lead supervisory authority (LSA) is the main point of contact for organisations that process personal data across multiple EU member states. The LSA is responsible for coordinating cross-border investigations, issuing binding decisions, and enforcing GDPR compliance1. Cross-border processing is the main concern of the LSA, as it involves data processing activities that affect data subjects in more than one member state, or that take place in more than one member state2. The other options are not the main concern of the LSA, as they are either covered by the national supervisory authorities of each member state, or are not specific to cross-border processing. References: Is it possible to choose your lead supervisory authority under the GDPR?, Art. 56 GDPR – Competence of the lead supervisory authority, Navigating GDPR Compliance with a Lead Supervisory Authority, Guidelines 8/2022 on identifying a controller or processor’s lead supervisory authority

The Data Retention Directive was a EU law that required providers of electronic communications services to retain certain data, such as traffic and location data, for a period of between six months and two years, for the purpose of preventing, investigating, detecting and prosecuting serious crime1. However, in 2014, the Court of Justice of the European Union declared the Directive invalid, because it violated the fundamental rights to respect for private life and to the protection of personal data, as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU2. The Court found that the Directive entailed a wide-ranging and particularly serious interference with those rights, without being limited to what is strictly necessary3. One of the reasons for this finding was that the Directive applied to all individuals, all means of electronic communication and all traffic data without any differentiation, limitation or exception, thus affecting the entire population of the EU4. The Court also noted that the Directive did not provide sufficient safeguards to ensure effective protection of the data against the risk of abuse and unlawful access, and did not require the data to be retained within the EU5. References: 1 Directive 2006/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 on the retention of data generated or processed in connection with the provision of publicly available electronic communications services or of public communications networks and amending Directive 2002/58/EC2 Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union3 Press release No 54/14 - Judgment in Joined Cases C-293/12 and C-594/12 Digital Rights Ireland and Seitlinger and Others4 Judgment of the Court (Grand Chamber) of 8 April 2014. Digital Rights Ireland Ltd v Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Others and Kärntner Landesregierung and Others. Requests for a preliminary ruling from the High Court (Ireland) and the Verfassungsgerichtshof (Austria). Joined cases C-293/12 and C-594/125 Ibid.

 The GDPR requires that the processor only processes personal data on behalf of the controller and according to the controller’s instructions12. The agreement between the controller and the processor must include provisions that ensure that the processor does not process personal data for any other purposes or in a manner that is inconsistent with the controller’s instructions34. Therefore, if the processor stores personal data that is not necessary for the performance of the contract with the controller, such as the social network followers of the client, this is a breach of the GDPR and the processor may be fined2. The fact that the data base is password-protected does not affect the applicability of the GDPR or the security principle, as the data is still personal data that can identify data subjects. The storage limitation principle also requires that personal data be kept for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data are processed, so deleting the data base after the audit does not make the situation compliant. References: 1: Article 28 of the GDPR 2: Guidelines 07/2020 on the concepts of controller and processor in the GDPR 3: Understanding Controller-to-Processor Agreements - GDPR Advisor 4: New Guidelines on Data Controllers and Processors: Time to Review Data Processing Agreements : Article 4 of the GDPR : Article 5 of the GDPR

The GDPR defines profiling as any form of automated processing of personal data consisting of the use of personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular to analyse or predict aspects concerning that natural person’s performance at work, economic situation, health, personal preferences, interests, reliability, behaviour, location or movements12. Therefore, the relevant factors when determining if a processing activity would be considered profiling are:

whether the processing involves data that is considered personal data;

whether the processing of the data is done through automated means; and

whether the processing is used to predict the behavior of data subjects.

The identity of the processor, whether it is the controller or a third-party vendor, is not relevant for the definition of profiling. However, it may have implications for the accountability and responsibility of the parties involved, as well as the data protection rights of the data subjects34. References: CIPP/E Certification - International Association of Privacy Professionals, Free CIPP/E Study Guide - International Association of Privacy Professionals, GDPR - EUR-Lex, What is automated individual decision-making and profiling? | ICO, WP29 releases guidelines on profiling under the GDPR, UK: A Guide To GDPR Profiling And Automated Decision-Making - Mondaq

According to Article 8 of the GDPR, where the processing of personal data is based on consent and the offer of an information society service (ISS) is directly made to a child, the processing is lawful only if the child is at least 16 years old, or if the consent is given or authorised by the holder of parental responsibility over the child. The GDPR allows EU member states to lower the age threshold to a minimum of 13 years. The data controller must make reasonable efforts to verify that the consent is given or authorised by the holder of parental responsibility, taking into account available technology. An ISS is any service normally provided for remuneration, at a distance, by electronic means and at the individual request of a recipient of services. Examples of ISS include online marketplaces, social media platforms, and online games.

In this scenario, the company is offering an ISS to children, as the connected toys can talk and interact with children via the internet. The company is also processing personal data of the children, such as their voice, questions, preferences, and location. Therefore, the company must obtain parental consent for the use of the action figures before any data can be collected, unless the child is above the age threshold set by the relevant EU member state. The company must also inform the parents and the children about the nature and purpose of the data processing, the data transfers to South Africa, and the rights of the data subjects. The company must also ensure that the data processing is fair, lawful, transparent, and in accordance with the data protection principles and the children’s best interests.

The other options are incorrect because:

A. The child cannot provide consent himself, regardless of the purpose of the data processing, unless he is above the age threshold set by the relevant EU member state. The GDPR does not make any distinction between data processing for marketing or non-marketing purposes when it comes to children’s consent.

B. The company does not need to obtain written authorization from the supervisory authority to process children’s data, as long as it complies with the GDPR requirements and obtains parental consent. The supervisory authority is the independent public authority responsible for monitoring the application of the GDPR in each EU member state, and it can intervene only in cases of non-compliance or complaints.

C. Consent for data collection cannot be implied through the parent’s purchase of the action figure for the child. The GDPR requires that consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous, and that it must be expressed by a clear affirmative action. The purchase of a product does not meet these criteria, and it does not indicate the parent’s agreement to the data processing. Moreover, the packaging of the toy does not provide sufficient information about the data processing, nor does it mention that an internet connection is required.

References: Article 8 and Recitals (38) and (58) of the GDPR, Can personal data about children be collected?, Children and the UK GDPR, CIPP/E Certification

The GDPR defines profiling as any form of automated processing of personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, such as their preferences, behaviour, or interests1. Profiling is subject to the general principles and rules of the GDPR, such as lawfulness, fairness, transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity, and confidentiality2. The GDPR also provides specific rights for data subjects who are subject to profiling, such as the right to be informed, the right to access, the right to rectify, the right to object, and the right to not be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal or similarly significant effects on them3.

In the given scenario, the online shop is engaging in profiling by tracking the browsing behaviour of its European customers and predicting future purchases. It is also sharing this information with third parties, which may involve further processing of the personal data. Therefore, the online shop must comply with the GDPR requirements for profiling and ensure that it has a valid legal basis for the processing. According to Article 6 of the GDPR, there are six possible legal bases for processing personal data: consent, contract, legal obligation, vital interests, public interest, or legitimate interests4. However, not all of them are equally applicable or appropriate for profiling activities, especially when they involve sensitive or special categories of data, such as biometric, genetic, or health data, which require additional safeguards under Article 9 of the GDPR5.

In this case, the most relevant and suitable legal basis for the online shop’s profiling is consent, which means that the data subject has given a clear and affirmative indication of their agreement to the processing of their personal data for one or more specific purposes6. Consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous, and must be obtained before the processing begins7. The online shop must also inform the data subject about the nature and purpose of the profiling, the logic involved, the consequences, and the rights they have in relation to it. The online shop must also respect the data subject’s right to withdraw their consent at any time and to object to the profiling.

Therefore, the online shop’s primary obligation while engaging in this kind of profiling is to solicit informed consent through a notice on its website, which must be clear, concise, and easily accessible, and must not be bundled with other terms and conditions. The online shop must also provide a simple and effective mechanism for the data subject to give or revoke their consent, such as a checkbox, a slider, or a button. The online shop must also keep records of the consent obtained and be able to demonstrate that it has complied with the GDPR requirements for consent.

The other options (B, C, and D) are not the primary obligation for the online shop, as they are either irrelevant or insufficient for the GDPR compliance. Seeking authorization from the European supervisory authorities is not necessary, unless the online shop is involved in a cross-border processing that requires a prior consultation under Article 36 of the GDPR. Demonstrating a prior business relationship with the customers is not a valid legal basis for the profiling, as it does not imply consent or legitimate interests. Proving that it uses sufficient security safeguards to protect customer data is a general obligation for any processing of personal data, but it does not address the specific issues and risks of profiling, such as discrimination, manipulation, or loss of control. References:

1: What is automated individual decision-making and profiling?

2: Article 5 of the GDPR

3: Rights related to automated decision making including profiling

4: [Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation)]

5: Article 9 of the GDPR

6: Article 4 (11) of the GDPR

7: Article 7 of the GDPR

: Article 13 and 14 of the GDPR

: Article 21 of the GDPR

: Article 12 of the GDPR

: [Guidelines on consent under Regulation 2016/679]

: Article 24 of the GDPR

: Article 36 of the GDPR

: [Guidelines on Automated individual decision-making and Profiling for the purposes of Regulation 2016/679]

: [https://edpb.europa.eu/sites/edpb/files/files/file1/edpb_guidelines_202005_consent_en.pdf]

: [https://edpb.europa.eu/sites/edpb/files/files/file1/20171104_wp251rev01_en.pdf]

According to the CIPP/E study guide, Article 56 of the GDPR establishes the concept of the lead supervisory authority, which is the supervisory authority of the main or single establishment of the data controller or processor in the EU1. The lead supervisory authority has the primary responsibility for dealing with cross-border data processing, in cooperation with other concerned supervisory authorities1. Article 60 of the GDPR requires the lead supervisory authority to cooperate with the other supervisory authorities concerned in an endeavour to reach consensus2. The other supervisory authorities concerned are those that are established in a Member State where the data controller or processor has an establishment or where data subjects are substantially affected or likely to be substantially affected by the processing2. In the scenario, T-Craze is a German-headquartered company that has a French affiliate responsible for all marketing and sales activities. Therefore, the French supervisory authority is the lead supervisory authority for the processing of personal data related to the marketing and sales activities of T-Craze, as it is the supervisory authority of the main establishment of the data controller in the EU. The Spanish supervisory authority is a concerned supervisory authority, as it is the supervisory authority of the Member State where data subjects are likely to be substantially affected by the processing, such as Sofia who filed a complaint. Therefore, the Spanish supervisory authority notifies the French supervisory authority when it opens an investigation into T-Craze based on Sofia’s complaint, in order to cooperate with the lead supervisory authority and seek consensus on the action to be taken2. References: 1: CIPP/E study guide, page 87; Art. 56 GDPR; Guidelines 3/2018 on the territorial scope of the GDPR (Article 3)2: CIPP/E study guide, page 88; Art. 60 GDPR; Guidelines 3/2018 on the territorial scope of the GDPR (Article 3).

 According to the GDPR, location data is a type of personal data that can reveal information about an individual’s habits, preferences, or movements1. Location data can also be considered as a special category of personal data if it reveals information about an individual’s health, ethnic origin, or religious beliefs2. Therefore, location data is subject to the GDPR’s rules on the lawful processing of personal data, which require a valid legal basis, such as consent, contract, legal obligation, vital interest, public interest, or legitimate interest2.

In this scenario, Who-R-U decides to track locations using its app, which means that it collects and processes location data from its app users. This data can be used to identify the app users, as well as to infer information about their interests, preferences, or behavior. Therefore, Who-R-U needs to comply with the GDPR, even if it only offers its services to Canadians, because it monitors the behavior of individuals in the EU2.

One of the possible legal bases for processing location data is consent, which means that the app users must give their informed, specific, and freely given agreement to the collection and use of their location data2. Consent must be obtained before the processing starts, and it must be easy to withdraw at any time2. Consent must also be granular, meaning that the app users must be able to choose which purposes and types of location data they agree to share1.

Therefore, if Who-R-U decides to track locations using its app, it must get consent from the app users, and provide them with clear and transparent information about how, why, and for how long their location data will be processed, who will have access to it, and what rights they have under the GDPR12. Who-R-U must also ensure that the consent is voluntary, and that the app users can opt out of location tracking without affecting the functionality or quality of the app12. References: 1 Policy Brief: Location Data Under Existing Privacy Laws | FPF. Available at: 5 (Accessed: 11 December 2023)2 What is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)? | Cloudflare. Available at: 6 (Accessed: 11 December 2023).

The GDPR requires that data subjects are provided with certain information when their personal data are collected, either from the data subject themselves or from another source12. This information includes, among other things, the identity and contact details of the controller (and, where applicable, of the controller’s representative and the data protection officer), and the purposes of the processing for which the personal data are intended as well as the legal basis for the processing34. This information is necessary to ensure fair and transparent processing of personal data, and to enable data subjects to exercise their rights under the GDPR5. Therefore, option C is the correct answer, as it contains two of the essential pieces of information that must be provided to data subjects before collecting their personal data. Options A, B and D are incorrect, as they do not include all the required information or include information that is not mandatory. References: 1: Article 13 of the GDPR 2: Article 14 of the GDPR 3: Article 13(1)(a) and © of the GDPR 4: Article 14(1)(a) and © of the GDPR 5: Recital 60 of the GDPR

ISO 31700 is an international standard that provides high-level requirements and recommendations for organizations that use privacy by design (PbD) in the development, maintenance and operation of consumer goods and services. PbD is a concept that aims to integrate privacy into products, services and systems by default, following seven main principles: proactive not reactive, privacy as the default, privacy embedded into design, full functionality, end-to-end security, visibility and transparency, and respect for user privacy. PbD is also a legal requirement under many prominent privacy regulations across the world, such as the GDPR. ISO 31700 is based on a consumer-centric approach, where the consumer’s privacy rights and preferences are placed at the center of product development and operation.

References: Meet the new ISO 31700 standard for Privacy by Design (PbD); 7 Steps to Comply with ISO 31700-1:2023; Privacy by Design: Embracing ISO 31700-1:2023’s Consumer Protection Guidelines.

Data adjustment is not a valid basic anonymization technique according to the PDPC’s guide12. Data adjustment refers to the modification of the original data values by adding or subtracting a random amount, or multiplying or dividing by a random factor3. This technique may preserve some statistical properties of the data, but it also introduces errors and inaccuracies that may affect the utility and quality of the data3. Moreover, data adjustment may not sufficiently protect the identity of individuals, as the adjusted data may still be linked or matched with other data sources3. Therefore, data adjustment is not recommended by the PDPC as a basic anonymization technique.

References:

1: GUIDE TO BASIC DATA ANONYMISATION TECHNIQUES Published 25 January 2018 - PDPC 2: GUIDE TO BASIC ANONYMISATION - PDPC 3: Guide to basic anonymisation and free tool from PDPC

One of the main differences between a Regulation and a Directive in the EU law is that a Regulation is directly applicable and binding in all EU member states, without the need for national implementing measures, while a Directive sets out the objectives and principles that the member states must achieve, but leaves them the choice of form and methods to transpose it into their national laws. Therefore, by taking the form of a Regulation, the GDPR aims to harmonize and unify the data protection rules across the EU, and to ensure a consistent implementation and enforcement of the data protection laws throughout the EU. The other aspects of the GDPR listed in the question, such as the one-stop shop mechanism, the mandatory notification of large-scale data breaches, and the mandatory appointment of a data protection officer, are also important features of the GDPR, but they do not have the same impact on the consistency of the data protection laws as the form of a Regulation.

References: Difference between A Regulation And Directive (European Law)1; EUR-Lex - 310401_2 - EN - EUR-Lex2; EU GDPR vs. European Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC - Advisera3; Difference between GDPR and Data Protection Directive - Profolus

According to Article 15 of the GDPR, data subjects have the right to access and receive a copy of their personal data, and other supplementary information, from the data controller1. However, this right is not absolute and may be subject to limitations or restrictions. One of the grounds for refusing or limiting a data subject access request (DSAR) is when the request is manifestly unfounded or excessive, in particular because of its repetitive character1. In such cases, the controller may either charge a reasonable fee, taking into account the administrative costs of providing the information, or refuse to act on the request1. The controller must inform the data subject of the reasons for not taking action and of the possibility of lodging a complaint with a supervisory authority or seeking a judicial remedy1.

In this scenario, Jack’s DSAR is likely to be considered excessive, as he requests a copy of all personal data, including internal emails, that were sent or received by him or where he is directly or indirectly identifiable from the contents. This is a very broad and vague request, which would require the company to search and review a large amount of information, and potentially disclose confidential or sensitive data about other employees or third parties. The company has already contacted Jack, asking him to be more specific about what information he requires, but he refused to narrow the scope of his request. Therefore, the company has a valid reason to decline to provide any information, as the amount of information requested is too excessive to provide in one month, which is the general time limit for responding to a DSAR under the GDPR1. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Option A is incorrect because the company’s headquarters location is irrelevant for the purpose of the DSAR, as the GDPR applies to any processing of personal data in the context of the activities of an establishment of a controller or a processor in the EU, regardless of whether the processing takes place in the EU or not2. The company has an establishment in Ireland, where Jack worked, and therefore is subject to the GDPR.

Option C is incorrect because the company cannot agree to provide the information requested in Jack’s original DSAR within a period of 3 months, as this would violate the data subject’s right of access and the principle of accountability under the GDPR. The company can only extend the time limit to respond to a DSAR by a further two months if the request is complex or if the controller receives a number of requests from the same data subject1. However, the company must inform the data subject of any such extension within one month of receipt of the request, together with the reasons for the delay1. In this case, the company has not done so, and has instead asked Jack to be more specific about his request.

Option D is incorrect because the company cannot provide all requested information except for the emails, as this would not comply with the data subject’s right of access and the principle of transparency under the GDPR. The company must provide the data subject with a copy of the personal data undergoing processing, unless this adversely affects the rights and freedoms of others1. The emails are part of the personal data undergoing processing, and the company cannot exclude them from the DSAR without a valid reason. The company must also provide the data subject with the following supplementary information, unless the data subject already has it1:

the purposes of the processing;

the categories of personal data concerned;

the recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organisations;

where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period;

the existence of the right to request from the controller rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing of personal data concerning the data subject or to object to such processing;

the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority;

where the personal data are not collected from the data subject, any available information as to their source;

the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, referred to in Article 22(1) and (4) and, at least in those cases, meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for the data subject.

References:

Right of access

Territorial scope

An adequacy decision is a decision adopted by the European Commission, which determines that a third country, a territory or one or more specified sectors within a third country, or an international organisation ensures an adequate level of protection of personal data1. This means that the third country or organisation provides a level of protection that is essentially equivalent to that guaranteed within the European Union (EU), taking into account its domestic law and international commitments, as well as the respect for the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, relevant legislation, and the existence and effective functioning of independent supervisory authorities1. An adequacy decision is one of the transfer tools that can be used to transfer personal data to a third country or organisation without requiring any further authorisation1. However, an adequacy decision is not permanent and can be amended, suspended or repealed by the Commission at any time, if the conditions are no longer met1. Therefore, according to the recommendations of the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), the additional action that should be taken when a transfer to a third country is based upon an adequacy decision is to monitor changes in the law or practice of the third country that would lower the level of protection of personal data2. This means that the data exporter should stay informed of any developments in the third country or organisation that could affect the validity of the adequacy decision, and take appropriate measures if the level of protection is no longer adequate2. The data exporter should also cooperate with the competent supervisory authority and inform it of any issues that may affect the compliance with the adequacy decision2. Therefore, option D is the correct answer. References: Art. 45 GDPR – Transfers on the basis of an adequacy decision, Recommendations 01/2020 on measures that supplement transfer tools to ensure compliance with the EU level of protection of personal data

According to Article 28(3)(f) of the GDPR, the written agreement between the controller and the processor must include an obligation on the processor to assist the controller in ensuring compliance with the controller’s obligations pursuant to Articles 32 to 36 of the GDPR. These obligations include notifying the supervisory authority and the data subjects about personal data breaches, as well as conducting data protection impact assessments and consulting with the supervisory authority when required. The processor must assist the controller by taking appropriate technical and organisational measures, insofar as this is possible, and considering the nature of the processing and the information available to the processor. References:

GDPR Article 28(3)(f)

CIPP/E Textbook, Chapter 6, Section 6.2.2, page 154

Free CIPP/E Study Guide, page 18