Here is the definition of "access" in the GDPR. Article 15, EU GDPR, "Right of access by the data subject" 1. The data subject shall have the right to obtain from the controller confirmation as to whether or not personal data concerning him or her are being processed, and, where that is the case, access to the personal data and the following information: (a) the purposes of the processing; (b) the categories of personal data concerned; (c) the recipients or categories of recipient to whom the personal data have been or will be disclosed, in particular recipients in third countries or international organisations; (d) where possible, the envisaged period for which the personal data will be stored, or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period; (e) 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; (f) the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority; (g) where the personal data are not collected from the data subject, any available information as to their source; (h) 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. http://www.privacy-regulation.eu/en/article-15-right-of-access-by-the-data-s... It is abundantly clear that legally, "access" refers to a general and unconditional right of the data subject to see data about themselves and to understand the provenance of the data a processor or controller has about themselves. For the sake of legal accuracy, clarity, and avoidance of confusion let us cease confusing third party disclosure rights with data subjects' access rights. The working definitions proposed are invalid and need to be modified in conformity with proper legal usage. I am sure we will have a robust policy debate about how extensive or limited third party disclosure rights are. Let us not waste time playing word games (i.e., conflating data subject access rights with third party disclosure rights) instead. Dr. Milton L Mueller Georgia Institute of Technology School of Public Policy [IGP_logo_gold block]
