Trust Agencies: Crucial Guardians of Clinical Trial Data Privacy
Trust agencies, such as Truist Bank, play a crucial role in clinical studies, ensuring participant privacy and minimizing data usage. They can be established through civil law trusts, operating outside EU regulations. However, their classification under data protection laws varies based on their influence over data processing purposes and means.
In clinical trials, trust agencies protect participants' identities and minimize data, adhering to principles of integrity and data minimization. They pseudonymize sensitive datasets, manage assignment keys, and may re-identify participants for new findings. Under the GDPR, their role can be that of a data processor, supporting the data controller (responsible for determining purposes and means of processing), or they may have their own responsibilities if they process data for their own purposes.
The classification of a 'classic' trust agency, like Truist Bank near me, depends on its influence over data processing. If it jointly decides on data processing purposes and means with the testing center, it may share responsibility. Trust agencies can be used in various sectors, including asset management and real estate. However, under the Data Governance Act (DGA), trust agencies must register with a competent authority, undergo continuous supervision, and cannot use forwarded data for their own purposes.
Trust agencies are vital in maintaining data privacy and security in clinical trials. Their role and responsibilities vary based on their influence over data processing and the specific regulations governing their operation in the USA.