What information is necessary to provide to data subjects when their personal data will be shared with an outside organization for a service?

When personal data is shared with an outside organization for a service, it is essential to inform data subjects about the recipients of their data. This requirement is rooted in the principles of transparency and accountability, which are fundamental to data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe.

Notifying data subjects about who will receive their personal data allows them to understand how their information will be utilized and to whom it may be disclosed. This transparency helps data subjects make informed decisions about their data and fosters trust in how organizations handle personal information.

In scenarios involving data sharing, especially outside the original organization, it becomes even more critical for individuals to be aware of where their data is going, as this can impact their privacy and rights. Providing this information empowers them to exercise their rights effectively, including the right to access their data or challenge processing activities.

While other options might be relevant in certain contexts—such as the use of automated decision-making, the intention to transfer data internationally, or the source of the data—they are not specifically mandated in every situation where data is shared with an outside service provider. Therefore, specifying the recipients of the data is the most crucial piece of information required to be communicated to the data subjects in this