The term "processing" includes

• collection,
• the recording,
• organisation,
• structuring,
• storage,
• adaptation or modification,
• retrieval,
• consultation,
• the use,
• disclosure by transmission, dissemination,
• distribution or any other form of making available,
• the alignment or combination,
• the restriction,
• the erasure or destruction

of data.

In the following, the different individual acts will be defined in more detail, but they cannot always be completely distinguished from each other.

• Collection
  Data Collection is generally understood to mean obtaining data from the data subject. An "active action" (i.e. taking action) by the person responsible is necessary.

• Recording
  The term "recording" refers to the fixing of data on a data carrier. As soon as the data has been fixed, it is considered to be "stored".

• Organisation
  This refers to the structuring of stored data.

• Structuring
  Subcategory of organisation: As a rule, data is ordered in order to facilitate readout and retrieval. (E.G.: Moving a file to a folder; filing a document in a file).

• Storage
  The storage of data or the associated retention of data. The "other side" of deletion and destruction.

• Adaption or alternation
  This is the replacement of an already stored date with another date.

• Retrieval
  This is a process by which a recorded date is specifically noted - "retrieved".

• Consultation
  This refers to a process by which a data carrier is searched for specific criteria in order to then take note of the "consultation result".

• Use
  This can include almost any processing operation where the date is already known. For example, the analysis of research data is a "use" or, in relation to an e-mail, the sending of an e-mail also constitutes the use of the personal data.

• Disclosure
  This refers to a process by which a third party is given knowledge or the opportunity to gain knowledge. Through disclosure, the data is duplicated and the number of persons with knowledge is increased.
  • Transmission (subcategory of disclosure) This refers to disclosure to (previously) individually determined addressees.
  • Dissemination This refers to disclosure to an undefined group of addressees (e.g. publication on the Internet).
  • Other form of making available (subset of disclosure) This is a so-called "catch-all" situation; e.g. making available for inspection.

• Alignment or combination
  This refers to the allocation of several separately stored data. This is a through-stage to retrieval.

• Restriction
  This is the marking of stored personal data with the aim of restricting their future processing.

• Erasure
  Erasure is the removal of stored data from all data carriers under the control of the data controller in such a way that it can no longer be read.

• Destruction
  This is the process of destroying the data carrier on which the date is stored so that the date can no longer be read. (e.g. shredding of paper files).