A data controller is a person or organization that determines the use of personal information. The role of the data controller can be shared by many people or organizations.

Rights and responsibilities of data controllers include:

  • establishing a lawful data process and observing the rights of Data subject s (including collecting data subject Consent s and requests)
  • issuing instructions on data processing (including appointing employees to serve as point of contact) for the Data processor – the data processor should handle data exclusively in the manner prescribed by the controller.

Read more about data controller on the Piwik PRO blog and in the resources section:


  • University website personalization: First-party data strategies for student recruitment and retention

    University websites receive millions of visits annually from diverse audiences – prospective students, admitted students weighing their options, current undergraduates, graduate students, parents, alumni, and faculty. Yet most institutions serve identical content to all these visitors, missing critical opportunities to engage each audience with relevant information.

  • Digital marketing in the energy sector: Key challenges and fixes

    Summary The European energy and utilities sector is changing quickly. Customers expect smooth digital experiences, personalized communication, and easy access to their data. At the same time, regulators continue to tighten privacy and security standards across the EU. For marketing teams, this creates a familiar dilemma – how to deliver relevant, data-driven experiences while staying…