Sub-processor
Also called subprocessor, sub processor, another processor
Another company that a supplier brings in to handle your data on its behalf, such as a cloud host or a model provider.
A sub-processor is a company your supplier uses to handle your data: the cloud that hosts the service, a monitoring firm, or the company whose model answers the prompts. You signed with one supplier, and your data may pass through several.
With AI tools the chain can be short and still matter. A product built on another company's model has to send that company your prompts to get an answer.
Ask a supplier for its list, where each company is based, and how you'll be told when the list changes. Under EU data protection law, a supplier handling personal data for you can't add one without your authorisation.
For example
A company buys an AI writing tool. The tool's maker sends each prompt to a model run by a second company, which is a sub-processor.
Put it to use
Where you'll meet sub-processor in ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude, how to use it there, and the mix-up most people make.
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