This section is an attempt to describe the reasoning behind the NBIS guidelines regarding working with human data in more detail by referring to relevant sections of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the EU-wide legislation that stipulates how personal data should be handled.
Note that this information is our understanding of the legislation, and does not constitute legal advice in individal cases. Please consult the legal office of your university if you need assistance.
The entity who decides on why and how personal data should be processed is called Controller. In an academic research context, this is the university that employs the PI(s) responsible for the research project. All employees of a university are obliged to process personal data according to the GDPR.
A Controller can decide to use another entity to help process the data. That entity is called a Processor. The Controller must instruct the Processor how the data is to be processed in a legaly binding contract, and the Processor must be able to show that he adheres to the GDPR when processing data on behalf of the Controller.
Human DNA or RNA sequence data is sensitive personal data, as it is genetic data. This is probably to be considered true in most cases even if the sequence data is not accompanied with any other data, as it will be a factor “specific to the […] genetic […] identity of that natural person” (Article 4 (1)).
Even if the data is only referred to by an identifier that is not associated with the individual, and the researchers processing the data are not themselves in possession of the key of how the identifier relates to the individual, the data is still personal data, as the person can be identified indirectly. In this case the data is said to be pseudonymised.
As defined in Article 5, to process personal data, the Controller must:
And be able to demonstrate that the GDPR is followed.
There are two legal bases that could be applicable for processing sensitive personal data for research purposes: public interest and consent. In Sweden, public interest seems to be considered the most appropriate when processing personal data for research purposes at universities.
It is important that all personnel that process the data are aware of the purpose for which the data has been consented, to not unintentionally use it for any incompatible purpose.
A researcher processing personal data should therefore have defined the legal basis and the purpose for processing that data, and what (and only what) data is needed to perform the purpose. Furthermore, to have defined what procedures are to be used to ensure that data is correct and protected. The security measures taken should be based on an evaluation of the risks for, and consequences of, the personal data not being correct and protected. Appropriate technical and organisational measures shall be implemented to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk. It is advisable that the researcher seek guidance from the legal and information security functions of the university adminstration about this.
The UPPMAX Bianca system has been designed to have technical and information security procedures that are appropriate for processing sensitive human data for analysis. Using this systems then relieves the researcher from having to define these technical and security procedures him/herself (at least for the analysis phase of a project). The researcher can decide to analyse (sensitive) personal data elsewhere, but then he/she will have to define the appropriate procedures.
Article 4 (1): ‘personal data’ means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (‘data subject’); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person
Article 9 – The following personal data is considered ‘sensitive’ and is subject to specific processing conditions:
Processing of sensitive personal data is only allowed during certain circumstances outlined in Article 9, among them that the data subject has given explicit consent, or for reasons of substantial public interest. It can be noted that EU member states can introduce further conditions, including limitations, with regard to the processing of genetic data, biometric data or data concerning health. Currently, no such further conditions have been suggested for Sweden.
Article 4 (13): ‘genetic data’ means personal data relating to the inherited or acquired genetic characteristics of a natural person which give unique information about the physiology or the health of that natural person and which result, in particular, from an analysis of a biological sample from the natural person in question
Recital 34: “Genetic data should be defined as personal data relating to the inherited or acquired genetic characteristics of a natural person which result from the analysis of a biological sample from the natural person in question, in particular chromosomal, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA) analysis, or from the analysis of another element enabling equivalent information to be obtained.”
Article 4 (1): ‘pseudonymisation’ means the processing of personal data in such a manner that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information, provided that such additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organisational measures to ensure that the personal data are not attributed to an identified or identifiable natural person
Article 4 (7): ‘controller’ means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data; […]
Article 4 (8): ‘processor’ means a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the controller.
Article 28 (3): Processing by a processor shall be governed by a contract or other legal act under Union or Member State law, that is binding on the processor with regard to the controller and that sets out the subject-matter and duration of the processing, the nature and purpose of the processing, the type of personal data and categories of data subjects and the obligations and rights of the controller. […]
Central to the GDPR are the Principles relating to processing of personal data - Article 5:
(1) Personal data shall be:
a) processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject (‘lawfulness, fairness and transparency’);
b) collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes; further processing for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes shall, in accordance with Article 89(1), not be considered to be incompatible with the initial purposes (‘purpose limitation’);
c) adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed (‘data minimisation’);
d) accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that personal data that are inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which they are processed, are erased or rectified without delay (‘accuracy’);
e) kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data are processed; personal data may be stored for longer periods insofar as the personal data will be processed solely for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes in accordance with Article 89(1) subject to implementation of the appropriate technical and organisational measures required by this Regulation in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the data subject (‘storage limitation’);
f) processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures (‘integrity and confidentiality’).
(2) The controller shall be responsible for, and be able to demonstrate compliance with, paragraph 1 (‘accountability’).
Article 6 – Personal data can only be processed in the following circumstances:
Article 4 (11): ‘consent’ of the data subject means any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes by which he or she, by a statement or by a clear affirmative action, signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.
Exercise of official authority or task in the public interest: The data controller must process personal data in order to carry out its duties as an authority or to carry out a task in the public interest. Article 6
Article 32 - “Taking into account the state of the art, the costs of implementation and the nature, scope, context and purposes of processing as well as the risk of varying likelihood and severity for the rights and freedoms of natural persons, the controller and the processor shall implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk”
Article 4 (12): ‘personal data breach’ means a breach of security leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, personal data transmitted, stored or otherwise processed;
If you have further questions regarding personal data, you are welcome to contact the NBIS data manager (data@nbis.se).