# Definitions 4(12) — GDPR — provision context

> Focused context for a single provision (4(12)), curated from overview.legal on 2026-08-22. Canonical: https://overview.legal/laws/gdpr/art-4#par-12
> Verify against the official text (EUR-Lex / wetten.overheid.nl) before relying on it.

Part of **Definitions** (GDPR, full article: https://overview.legal/laws/gdpr/art-4).

## Provision text

### 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;


## Topics on this provision

- **Data Breaches** — https://overview.legal/topics/datalekken
  Security incidents involving unauthorized access to personal data
- **Notification Obligation** — https://overview.legal/topics/meldplicht
  Duty to report data breaches to authorities and affected individuals
- **Personal Data** — https://overview.legal/topics/persoonsgegevens
  Information relating to identified or identifiable natural persons

## Cited by (exact-provision citations)

- **VB v Natsionalna agentsia za prihodite** (case-law) — https://overview.legal/posts/51485
- **Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 3 May 2018.#Republic of Malta v European Commission.#Access to documents — Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 — Documents held by the Commission — Documents originating from a Member State — Documents exchanged pursuant to the control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy — Article 113 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 — Public access following a request made by a non-governmental organisation — Action for annulment** (case-law) — https://overview.legal/posts/132343
- **SG Nürnberg - S 5 SF 65/24 DS** (case-law) — https://overview.legal/posts/122874
- **VB v Natsionalna agentsia za prihodite** ¶13 (case-law, CJEU) — https://overview.legal/posts/51485
- **Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 3 May 2018.#Republic of Malta v European Commission.#Access to documents — Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 — Documents held by the Commission — Documents originating from a Member State — Documents exchanged pursuant to the control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy — Article 113 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 — Public access following a request made by a non-governmental organisation — Action for annulment** ¶130 (case-law, General Court) — https://overview.legal/posts/132343
- **Guidelines 01/2021** (guidance) — https://overview.legal/posts/38047
- **Guidelines 01/2022 on data subject rights - Right of access** (guidance) — https://overview.legal/posts/38055
- **Guidelines 9/2022 on personal data breach notification under GDPR** (guidance) — https://overview.legal/posts/38058
- **Opinion 15/2023 on the draft decision of the Dutch Supervisory Authority regarding the Brand Compliance certification criteria** (guidance) — https://overview.legal/posts/125831
- **EDPB Annual Report 2021** (guidance) — https://overview.legal/posts/125941
- **Guidelines 9/2022 on personal data breach notification under GDPR** §15 (guidance, EDPB) — https://overview.legal/posts/38058
- **Guidelines 9/2022 on personal data breach notification under GDPR** §13 (guidance, EDPB) — https://overview.legal/posts/38058

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Generated by overview.legal · https://overview.legal/laws/gdpr/art-4#par-12 · 2026-08-22