> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.headlesslaw.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/gdpr/controller.md).

# controller

*In force · GDPR Article 4, point (7) · Consolidated version of 4 May 2016 · Not yet verified against the official text ·* [*Official source*](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02016R0679-20160504)

### Definition

> (7) controller means the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data; where the purposes and means of such processing are determined by Union or Member State law, the controller or the specific criteria for its nomination may be provided for by Union or Member State law;

### Source

[GDPR, Article 4, point (7)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02016R0679-20160504).