Accountability Principle

A core privacy principle requiring organizations to take responsibility for personal data under their control and demonstrate compliance with privacy obligations. Under this principle, it's not enough to simply follow the rules—you must be able to prove you're following them. This means maintaining documentation, implementing appropriate technical and organizational measures, and being transparent about your data practices. The accountability principle shifts privacy from a passive checkbox exercise to an active, ongoing commitment. Organizations must show evidence through privacy impact assessments, regular audits, staff training records, and incident response logs. This principle recognizes that privacy protection requires continuous effort and verifiable actions.