Under GDPR, who is MOST responsible for the protection of users' privacy and rights on a website?

The data controller is most responsible for the protection of users' privacy and rights on a website under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The data controller is defined as a person or entity that determines the purposes and means of processing personal data. This role encompasses the responsibility to ensure that all data processing activities comply with GDPR principles, including obtaining consent, maintaining transparency about data usage, and enabling individuals to exercise their rights regarding their personal data.

By holding the decision-making power regarding how and why data is processed, the data controller is tasked with implementing appropriate measures to protect user privacy and ensure that data handling practices align with legal obligations. This includes ensuring that users have access to their data, can request changes, and that their privacy is safeguarded throughout the data lifecycle.

Other roles like the data processor, while important in the data handling chain, carry responsibilities that are more operational and based on the instructions provided by the data controller. The data protection officer serves an advisory and oversight role in compliance with GDPR but does not hold the ultimate accountability for data protection, which rests with the data controller. The data owner typically refers to the individual or organization that owns the data but may not have the same regulatory responsibilities as the data controller under GDPR.