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Profiling

Lead consultant at Test Partnership, Ben Schwencke, explains what is profiling.

1:02 Quickly understand what is profiling.

Profiling refers to the process of using automated means to analyse and evaluate personal data in order to make predictions or decisions about an individual. In the context of GDPR, profiling is considered a form of automated decision-making and is subject to specific rules and regulations designed to protect individual's privacy rights. For example, organisations are required to obtain explicit consent before collecting, processing, or using personal data for profiling purposes.

In the context of employee assessment, profiling can be used to evaluate an individual's skills, abilities, and potential for a particular role.

This can include analysing data such as educational background, work experience, and test scores to determine whether an individual is a good fit for a particular job. Profiling can also be used to identify potential candidates for promotions or other career development opportunities.

While profiling can be a useful tool for evaluating employees, it is important to ensure that it is done in a fair and unbiased manner.

This includes using objective criteria and avoiding discriminatory practices such as basing decisions on race, gender, or other protected characteristics. Additionally, organisations should be transparent about the profiling process, providing individuals with the right to access, rectify, and object to the profiling results.