Data Protection Officer (DPO): Chile and Portugal

The Data Protection Officer (DPO) or Data Protection Delegate has become a key figure in ensuring regulatory compliance in the area of personal data protection, acting as an internal advisor, supervisor and point of contact with authorities and data subjects.

In Chile, its regulation is found in Law No. 21.719, which establishes its designation in certain cases and defines functions such as the supervision of compliance, internal training and the promotion of good practices within the organisation.

In Portugal, the DPO is framed in the GDPR and Law No. 58/2019, with an active role in risk management, audits, impact assessments and relationship with the supervisory authority, requiring specialised knowledge and independence in its exercise.

Having a DPO strengthens data governance and mitigates regulatory risks, while their absence can increase exposure to non-compliance and sanctions.