True or false: When personal data is being processed, there is always a controller.

The assertion that there is always a controller when personal data is being processed is indeed accurate. In the context of data protection, particularly under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, a "controller" is defined as the entity that determines the purposes and means of processing personal data. This designation is fundamental to the GDPR framework, as it assigns primary responsibility for compliance with data protection obligations to the controller.

Regardless of the specific circumstances of data processing, there must be a controller or a set of controllers responsible for ensuring that the processing adheres to privacy laws and principles. Even in scenarios involving multiple parties, such as joint controllers or when data is processed by data processors on behalf of the controller, the need for a controlling entity remains.

This structure underscores the accountability principle central to data protection laws, where the controller is tasked with safeguarding individuals' rights and ensuring transparency throughout the data processing lifecycle. The idea that there might not be a controller in some situations is misleading because every processing activity must have an identifiable entity or person that exercises control over the personal data.