Data Processing Agreement Drafting · GDPR, UK GDPR, US State Laws, India DPDP and More
Get a data processing agreement drafted by an advocate-led team that works across privacy laws. Whether you send personal data to vendors or process it for customers, we write the controller and processor terms, sub-processor rules, breach duties and transfer clauses to fit your business and the laws that apply. Fixed fee, agreed upfront.
Share what kind of personal data is involved, who your vendor or customer is, and which countries your users or vendors are in. We reply with the scope, timeline and fee, usually within two hours. Please do not attach files containing personal data.
A data processing agreement (DPA) is a contract between a business that decides how personal data is used (the controller) and a company that handles that data on its behalf (the processor). If you use a cloud tool, a payroll provider, an analytics service or an outsourced team, or if customers upload their data to your software, you probably need one.
Many privacy laws now expect this contract in writing, and customers and investors ask for it in due diligence. A DPA that is too thin leaves you exposed. One that is too heavy slows every deal. We draft it to match how data actually moves in your business.
A DPA is not a privacy policy. A privacy policy tells your users what you do with their data, and our privacy policy drafting service covers that. A DPA is a private contract with the company that processes the data. If you just want a starting point, see our DPA template.
Four common situations.
A cloud host, CRM, payroll tool, email platform or analytics provider handles your customers’ or staff’s data. You are the controller and the vendor is your processor.
You run a SaaS product, an agency or a service business and handle data your customer controls. Your customers will ask you to sign their DPA, or yours.
Your own vendors (hosting, support, AI tools) also touch the data. The DPA must say who they are and how changes are approved.
Personal data goes from one country to another, for example from the EU or UK to India or the US. Transfer terms must sit alongside the DPA. Read our guide to standard contractual clauses.
What we draft, review and negotiate.
A DPA for vendors you hire: instructions, security, sub-processors, breach notice, audits and deletion, written to protect you.
A customer-facing DPA you can sign again and again, which answers procurement questions and sits cleanly under your SaaS agreement.
Flow-down terms for your own vendors, plus a sub-processor list and a fair change process.
Standard contractual clauses, the UK addendum or other transfer tools matched to your data flows.
Send us a customer’s or vendor’s DPA. We mark what to accept and what to push back on. See contract review and revision.
A DPA that fits your MSA, SLA and contract drafting so terms do not clash.
Data terms for AI providers: training use, retention and confidentiality. See AI vendor contracts.
We refresh your DPA when a new law, a new feature or a new vendor changes how data moves.
The clauses that matter, in plain language.
Who is controller, who is processor, what data, whose data subjects, and for how long.
The processor only uses the data as the controller instructs, in writing.
The safeguards the processor must keep in place, in terms you can actually check.
Which sub-processors are allowed, how you are told of changes, and your right to object.
How the processor helps you answer access, correction and deletion requests on time.
How fast the processor must tell you, and what it must tell you. See data breach response.
Where data may go and which transfer tool covers it.
How the controller checks compliance without disrupting the processor.
What happens to the data when the contract ends.
How risk is shared if something goes wrong, tied to your main contract’s caps.
Before drafting, a data mapping exercise shows what data you hold and who touches it.
One core DPA, with the terms each law adds.
GDPR Article 28 requires a written contract with every processor and lists what it must contain. Transfers outside the EU need a tool such as standard contractual clauses.
See contract lawyers in the EU, our SCC guide and legal services in the EU.
The UK follows a similar processor-contract rule, with its own transfer tools: the IDTA and the UK addendum.
See contract lawyers in London and legal services in the UK.
California requires specific terms in contracts with service providers and contractors, and many other state laws require a controller-processor contract. Health data can bring in separate rules.
See contract lawyers in the USA, SaaS legal documents in the USA and legal services in the United States.
A data fiduciary may engage a processor only under a valid contract. Clause-by-clause guidance is in our DPDP contract guide.
Read DPDP Act contract compliance, the DPDP compliance guide and legal services in India.
Organisations stay responsible for data handled by service providers, so a written contract with clear data protection terms is standard practice.
See contract lawyers in Singapore and legal services in Singapore.
Federal and free-zone data protection rules address processors and transfers, and DPAs are common in commercial contracts.
See contract lawyers in Dubai and legal services in the UAE.
A business stays accountable for personal information given to a service provider, and contracts are the usual way to ensure comparable protection.
See contract lawyers in Canada and legal services in Canada.
Businesses must take steps to ensure overseas recipients protect personal information, and contract terms are the usual tool.
See contract lawyers in Melbourne and legal services in Australia.
Argentine law sets its own rules for data processing services and for sending data abroad.
Read data protection law in Argentina and legal services in Argentina.
New to the topic? Read our overview of data protection laws around the world and our guide to international legal obligations for businesses with global users. More guides are in our data protection and compliance articles.
Businesses that handle personal data for others, or share it with others.
A customer-ready DPA that closes deals faster. See legal documents every SaaS startup needs.
Terms for teams that handle client data, with clear instructions and audit rights.
Data terms for training use, retention and sub-processors. See essential contracts for AI startups.
Processor terms around financial and identity data. See legal documents every fintech startup needs.
Terms with logistics, payment and marketing vendors that handle customer data.
Staff and candidate data shared with payroll and hiring platforms.
Tell us who handles whose data, which countries are involved and what contracts already exist.
We confirm the scope, timeline and a fixed fee in writing.
You get a clear DPA and one round of discussion on the points that matter.
We prepare the signing version with schedules for data details, security measures and sub-processors.
Come back when a law, a vendor or your product changes. A startup legal retainer covers ongoing needs.
Reviews from clients in several countries. None is for a DPA, and they are not shown as one.
“As a Canadian startup working with investors in Asia, we needed solid contracts that satisfied all parties. My Legal Pal delivered documents that were both internationally compliant and commercially practical.”
Ethan Clarke, Founder and Investor.
“Our startup in Singapore collaborated with My Legal Pal for drafting investment agreements. They understood international investor concerns and provided documents that worked seamlessly in both jurisdictions.”
Daniel Wong, Startup Owner.
“It was a breeze to work with Prakhar he was clear responsive, and was very easy going with any required changes.”
Enforcer USA, parkingsafeplus.com.
The public notice that goes with your DPA.
Cookie and tracking terms for your site.
Which Indian contracts to update and how.
Moving EU personal data legally.
The first 72 hours, step by step.
Find the gaps on your own website.
Our overview of data protection services.
Legal support for tech, SaaS and AI companies.
Prakhar Rai founded My Legal Pal and leads its technology and cross-border work. He is an advocate enrolled with the Bar Council of India, an alumnus of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, and holds a Master of Business Laws. His practice includes contracts, data protection and technology work for clients in India and abroad.
This page is general information and is not legal advice. Privacy laws differ by country and change often. An advocate-client relationship starts only when we confirm an engagement in writing. Reviewed by Prakhar Rai, Advocate (Bar Council of India). Last updated: October 2026.
Tell us who handles whose data. We will reply with the scope and a fixed fee.
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