What is the primary responsibility of a data processor?

The primary responsibility of a data processor is to process personal data on behalf of the data controller. This role is defined within the framework of data protection law, particularly under regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The data processor acts under the instructions of the data controller, which is the entity that determines the purpose and means of processing personal data.

The processor does not have the authority to decide why or how the data is processed; that responsibility falls to the data controller. Therefore, the processor's role is primarily operational, involving tasks such as storing, organizing, or analyzing the data, ensuring that such tasks comply with the data protection regulations dictated by the data controller’s instructions.

The other roles mentioned, such as assisting data subjects with their rights or reporting data breaches, may also involve the data processor. However, those are not the core responsibility defined in the legal framework, but rather duties that complement the operational tasks they fulfill for the data controller. The focus on processing the data on behalf of the controller is what delineates the primary role of a data processor.