What is the Origin of Special Category Data GDPR?

This term is a direct legal construct from Article 9 of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came into effect in 2018. The classification was created to acknowledge the heightened risk of discrimination and harm that can result from the misuse of particularly sensitive personal information.

What is the Mechanism of Special Category Data GDPR?

The core mechanism is a general prohibition on the processing of Special Category Data, with processing only permitted if one of the specific exemptions outlined in Article 9(2) is met. For wellness companies, this usually requires obtaining the individual's explicit consent, which must be a clear affirmative act and distinct from general terms and conditions. This strict mechanism ensures that sensitive health data is only processed with the individual's full awareness and control.

Special Category Data GDPR ∞ Area

Special Category Data GDPR

Meaning

Special Category Data under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) refers to specific types of personal data considered highly sensitive, including health data, genetic data, biometric data, and information revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, or sexual orientation. The GDPR mandates significantly stricter conditions for the processing of this data, requiring explicit consent or a substantial public interest ground, and imposing enhanced security measures. All hormonal and physiological metrics collected in the wellness space fall under this elevated category of protection.