Data Privacy & GDPR
Data protection is a central aspect of responsible research. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) defines how personal data may be collected, stored, and used, but the legal requirements can seem complex. For researchers, the key challenge is to ensure that data is processed lawfully, ethically, transparently, and with respect for the rights of participants. Understanding when GDPR applies, what counts as valid consent, and which legal bases are relevant is essential for planning and documenting research projects.
Today’s resource is designed to help you with that: the interactive Virtual Assistant (iVA) by BERD@NFDI helps you navigate these questions step by step. iVA consists of three modules: iVA1 shows you whether GDPR applies to your research data, iVA2 guides you through the requirements for obtaining lawful consent, and iVA3 supports you in determining whether your research project has a legal basis under federal or state law. iVA1 and iVA2 are available in German and English, while iVA3 is available in German only.