What does the term "processing" encompass under GDPR?

The term "processing" under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has a broad and comprehensive definition. It refers to any operation or set of operations that is performed on personal data, covering a wide range of actions. This includes, but is not limited to, the collection, storage, use, alteration, retrieval, consultation, dissemination, alignment, combination, restriction, erasure, and destruction of personal data.

This broad definition is crucial because it establishes the scope of activities that are subject to GDPR compliance, highlighting that any handling of personal data, in whatever form, is regulated under the law. Therefore, it's clear that processing involves numerous activities well beyond mere collection, covering all lifecycle stages of personal data from initial data capture through to its eventual deletion or final disposition.