Privacy, data protection & cybersecurity compliance · Working
Special-category data
Also called: special categories of personal data
ELI5
Specific sensitive-data categories protected under the GDPR and related regimes.
Used in conversation
“Can we state who receives the right created by special-category data, and when it applies?”
Pitch context
You will see “Special-category data” in board papers, contracts, policies, risk registers and compliance reports when the discussion reaches privacy, data protection & cybersecurity compliance.
Why it matters: In privacy, data protection & cybersecurity compliance, a loose definition can change rights, obligations, approval, disclosure or enforceability.
Caution
Meaning, enforceability and required process vary by jurisdiction and agreement; this definition is not legal advice.
Connected terms
- Sensitive personal dataThe search label “special-category data” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 3
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology — Computer Security Resource Center GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- OECD — G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023Supporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — EDGAR and filing resourcesSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16