Provision record
Datadog · Datadog Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Controller and Processor Dual Role

High severity High confidence Explicit document language Common · 289 of 352 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

When enterprise customers send data to Datadog's monitoring platform, Datadog acts as a data processor on their behalf, and the privacy policy covering that data is the Data Processing Addendum in the customer's contract, not this public policy.

This analysis describes what Datadog's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision establishes that personal data transmitted within enterprise customers' monitoring payloads is governed by a separate contractual document, meaning individuals whose data appears in those payloads must look to the enterprise customer, not to Datadog's public privacy policy, for rights fulfillment.

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
3
Months Monitored
May 12, 2026
First Seen
May 22, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 5149 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

If personal data about employees, end users, or third parties appears in monitoring data that an organization sends to Datadog, those individuals' data rights are governed by the enterprise contract and DPA, not by the publicly available privacy policy; this may limit the practical ability of those individuals to directly exercise access or deletion rights against Datadog.

How other platforms handle this

ZipRecruiter Medium

Where ZipRecruiter processes your Personal Data in the capacity of a service provider (data processor), and you seek access, or want to correct, amend, or delete your Personal Data...we will provide you with the data controller's contact information, so you can contact them directly.

Tinder Medium

If you choose to reveal any personal information about yourself to other users, you do so at your own risk. We strongly encourage you to use caution in disclosing any personal information online.

Skillshare Medium

When you are asked to provide information, you may decline to do so; but if you choose not to provide information that is necessary to provide some of our Services, you may not be able to use those Services.

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
When we provide services to our customers, we may process personal data on behalf of our customers. Our customers are generally the controllers of the data they submit to our services and we are the data processor. The processing of such data is governed by the applicable terms between Datadog and the customer, including our Data Processing Addendum. This Privacy Policy does not apply to the personal data we process on behalf of our customers in their capacity as data controllers.

Excerpt from Datadog's Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The controller/processor distinction directly engages GDPR Articles 4, 24, 28, and 29, which establish obligations for both controllers and processors and require a written data processing agreement.

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Colorado AI Act
US-CO
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act
US-KY
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US
VPPA
United States Federal

Provision details

Document information
Document
Datadog Privacy Policy
Entity
Datadog
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 9, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-011201
Document ID
CA-D-00546
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
eea29f87df222810bb333ab93ed605ef0943fbe961b1c1ead1455f6cdf47ce71
Analysis generated
May 9, 2026 22:15 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Datadog
Document: Datadog Privacy Policy
Record ID: CA-P-011201
Captured: 2026-05-09 22:15:28 UTC
SHA-256: eea29f87df222810…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/datadog/datadog-privacy-policy/provision/CA-P-011201/controller-and-processor-dual-role/
Accessed: Aug. 12, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Datadog's Controller and Processor Dual Role clause do?

This provision establishes that personal data transmitted within enterprise customers' monitoring payloads is governed by a separate contractual document, meaning individuals whose data appears in those payloads must look to the enterprise customer, not to Datadog's public privacy policy, for rights fulfillment.

How does this clause affect you?

If personal data about employees, end users, or third parties appears in monitoring data that an organization sends to Datadog, those individuals' data rights are governed by the enterprise contract and DPA, not by the publicly available privacy policy; this may limit the practical ability of those individuals to directly exercise access or deletion rights against Datadog.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 289 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Datadog?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Datadog.