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Contracts

What Is a DPA?

A contract that governs how a vendor processes personal data on a customer's behalf, required in many cases under the GDPR and similar laws.

Legal Tech GlossaryBy The Circle Desk

Why It Matters

Every legal AI and cloud software purchase should come with a DPA. It is where data retention, subprocessors, breach notification and cross-border transfers are actually committed to, so it deserves more attention than the marketing page.

Compliance, Risk & Privacy Companies

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Related Terms

GDPR
The EU General Data Protection Regulation, which governs how personal data about people in the EU is collected, used, transferred and protected. The UK has its own version.
Vendor security questionnaire
A standard set of questions a buyer sends a software vendor about security, privacy, data handling and AI before signing.
Data residency
Where a vendor physically stores and processes your data, such as the US, the UK or the EU.

General information, not legal advice. Part of the Legal Tech Glossary, 173 terms in plain English.