Can the privacy officer and the person who handles complaints be the same individual?

The option indicating that the privacy officer and the person who handles complaints can be the same individual is correct because it is permissible under privacy regulations for a single person to fulfill both roles. Having the same individual in both positions can streamline communication and ensure consistency in how privacy policies are implemented and how complaints are addressed. It can also enhance accountability and make it easier for individuals to voice their concerns.

While it may be beneficial in some contexts to have these roles separated to reduce the possibility of perceived bias, there is no regulatory requirement mandating that they must be held by different individuals. This flexibility allows organizations, especially smaller ones, to optimize staffing resources while still maintaining compliance with privacy regulations.

The other choices imply a strict separation of roles or restrictions based on organization size or potential conflicts, which may not accurately reflect the flexibility that privacy regulations allow.