Back-up data are data kept only for the limited purpose of replacing other data in the event of their being lost, destroyed or damaged. As back-up data are copies of "live" data, they are not considered to be subject to an access request made under Article 15 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Data kept for any other purpose, such as archive data, would not be considered “back-up data” and therefore should be included in any Article 15 request for a copy of one’s personal data.