OpenAI · OpenAI Data Processing Addendum · View original document ↗

International Data Transfers via Standard Contractual Clauses

Medium severity Medium confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Uncommon · 12 of 325 platforms
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This analysis describes what OpenAI'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)

SCCs are the primary legal mechanism enabling EU-to-US personal data transfers following the invalidation of Privacy Shield. The DPA's incorporation of SCCs is essential for EU and UK customers to lawfully transfer personal data to OpenAI's US-based infrastructure.

Interpretive note: The adequacy of SCCs for US transfers remains subject to ongoing regulatory interpretation, particularly regarding supplementary measures required after the Schrems II ruling, and individual supervisory authorities may apply differing standards.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

This document primarily affects businesses using the OpenAI API rather than individual ChatGPT consumers, governing how personal data about individuals processed through those business products is handled. The agreement states that OpenAI will not sell or share personal data submitted via the API, will assist operators in responding to data subject access, deletion, and correction requests, and will delete or return personal data upon termination. You can contact the operator (the business whose product you use) to exercise data subject rights such as access or deletion, as the DPA assigns responsibility for handling those requests to the operator in the first instance.

How other platforms handle this

Upwork Medium

When we transfer personal data outside the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we use appropriate safeguards, including Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission, to ensure your data is protected.

Unity Medium

Personal data collected by Unity may be transferred to and processed in countries outside of the European Economic Area, including the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country. Where we transfer personal data from the EEA or the UK, we rely on appropriate safeg...

Bluesky Medium

We may transfer, process, and store all personal information we collect anywhere in the world. Different countries have different data protection laws. If we transfer personal information from the European Economic Area, Switzerland, Brazil and/or the United Kingdom to a country that does not provid...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
To the extent that OpenAI processes Customer Personal Data protected by EU Data Protection Law in a country that has not been recognized as providing an adequate level of protection, the parties agree that the EU SCCs are incorporated into this DPA by reference. The applicable module of the EU SCCs will depend on the capacity in which Customer and OpenAI act with respect to the processing of Customer Personal Data.

— Excerpt from OpenAI's OpenAI Data Processing Addendum

Applicable regulations

BIPA
Illinois, USA
CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
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
UK GDPR
United Kingdom
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
OpenAI Data Processing Addendum
Entity
OpenAI
Document last updated
May 11, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 11, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-010688
Document ID
CA-D-00757
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
8ae5b556815e67cd00740a6c1b656c2b56a01dfecbb0b039a8fa2625f2c769ba
Analysis generated
May 11, 2026 13:05 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: OpenAI
Document: OpenAI Data Processing Addendum
Record ID: CA-P-010688
Captured: 2026-05-11 13:05:56 UTC
SHA-256: 8ae5b556815e67cd…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/openai-data-processing-addendum/international-data-transfers-via-standard-contractual-clauses/
Accessed: May 13, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does OpenAI's International Data Transfers via Standard Contractual Clauses clause do?

SCCs are the primary legal mechanism enabling EU-to-US personal data transfers following the invalidation of Privacy Shield. The DPA's incorporation of SCCs is essential for EU and UK customers to lawfully transfer personal data to OpenAI's US-based infrastructure.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 12 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with OpenAI?

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