Xero data processing addendum

Last updated on 7 October 2021

This Data Processing Addendum (the Addendum) forms part of the Xero Terms of Use (and any ancillary or related documentation), as updated or amended from time to time (the Agreement), between you, the Customer (as defined below) and Xero. All capitalised terms not defined in this Addendum have the meaning set out in the Agreement.

This Addendum only applies if and to the extent Xero processes personal data on behalf of a Customer that qualifies as a controller with respect to that personal data under Applicable Data Protection Law (as defined below). If the Customer had entered into earlier data processing terms with Xero, those terms are replaced by this Addendum.

1. Data protection

1.1 Definitions

In this Adendum, the following terms have the following meanings:

a) controller, processor, data subject, personal data, processing (and process) and special categories of personal data have the meanings given in Applicable Data Protection Law

b) Applicable Data Protection Law means the EU General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation 2016/679) (the GDPR) and/or the UK General Data Protection Regulation (the UK GDPR) and any EU Member State and/or UK laws made under or pursuant to the GDPR and/or UK GDPR

c) Customer has the same meaning as ‘you’ in the Xero Terms of Use

1.2 Relationship of the parties

The Customer (the controller) appoints Xero as a processor to process the personal data described in Annex B (the Data) only on the controller’s documented instructions (and as per the terms set out in this Addendum) for the purposes described in the Agreement or as otherwise agreed in writing by the parties (the Permitted Purpose). Each party must comply with the obligations that apply to it under Applicable Data Protection Law.

1.3 Prohibited data

Unless explicitly requested by Xero to do so, the Customer will not disclose (and will not permit any data subject to disclose) any special categories of personal data to Xero for processing.

1.4 International transfers

Xero will not transfer the Data outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) nor the United Kingdom (UK) unless it has taken such measures as are necessary to ensure the transfer is in compliance with Applicable Data Protection Law. Such measures may include (without limitation) transferring the Data to a recipient in a country that the European Commission and/or the UK Secretary of State (as applicable) has decided provides adequate protection for personal data (for example, New Zealand) or to a recipient that has executed standard contractual clauses adopted or approved by the European Commission and/or UK Secretary of State or UK Information Commissioner (as applicable). To this end, you authorise Xero to enter into standard contractual clauses as your agent and on your behalf with any recipient of Data who is not located in an Adequate Country where this is necessary for compliance with Applicable Data Protection Law.

1.5 Confidentiality of processing

Xero will ensure that any person it authorises to process the Data (an Authorised Person) will protect the Data in accordance with Xero’s confidentiality obligations under the Agreement.

1.6 Security

Xero will implement technical and organisational measures, as set out in Annex A, which may be amended and updated from time to time, to protect the Data (i) from accidental or unlawful destruction, and (ii) loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure of, or access to the Data (a Security Incident).

1.7 Subcontracting

The Customer consents to Xero engaging third-party subprocessors to process the Data for the Permitted Purpose provided that:

(i) Xero maintains an up-to-date list of its subprocessors, which is available on its website at the Xero subprocessors page, which it will update with details of any change in subprocessors at least 30 days prior to the change;

(ii) Xero imposes data protection terms on any subprocessor it appoints that require it to protect the Data to the standard required by Applicable Data Protection Law; and

(iii) Xero remains liable for any breach of this Addendum that is caused by an act, error or omission of its subprocessor. The Customer may object to Xero’s appointment or replacement of a subprocessor prior to its appointment or replacement, provided such objection is based on reasonable grounds relating to data protection. In such an event, Xero will either not appoint or replace the subprocessor or, if Xero determines at its sole discretion that this is not reasonably possible, the Customer may suspend or terminate the Agreement without penalty (without prejudice to any fees incurred by the Customer up to and including the date of suspension or termination).

1.8 Cooperation and data subjects’ rights

Xero will provide reasonable and timely assistance to the Customer (at the Customer’s expense) to enable the Customer to respond to:

(i) any request from a data subject to exercise any of its rights under Applicable Data Protection Law; and

(ii) any other correspondence, enquiry or complaint received from a data subject, regulator or other third party in connection with the processing of the Data. If any such request, correspondence, enquiry or complaint is made directly to Xero, Xero will promptly inform the Customer, providing full details.

1.9 Data protection impact assessment

If Xero believes or becomes aware that its processing of the Data is likely to result in a high risk to the data protection rights and freedoms of data subjects, it will inform the Customer and provide reasonable cooperation to the Customer in connection with any data protection impact assessment that may be required under Applicable Data Protection Law.

1.10 Security incidents

If it becomes aware of a confirmed Security Incident, Xero will inform the Customer without undue delay and will provide reasonable information and cooperation to the Customer so that they can fulfil any data breach reporting obligations they may have under (and in accordance with the timescales required by) Applicable Data Protection Law. Xero will further take reasonably necessary measures and actions to remedy or mitigate the effects of the Security Incident and keep the Customer informed of all material developments in connection with the Security Incident.

1.11 Deletion or return of data

Xero will retain the Data for a period of 7 years after a subscription is terminated in case the Customer later needs access to it. On expiry of this period or on the Customer’s earlier request, Xero will delete or return the Data in a manner and form decided by Xero, acting reasonably. This requirement will not apply to the extent that Xero is required by applicable law to retain some or all of the Data, or to Data it has archived on back-up systems, which Data Xero shall securely isolate and protect from any further processing.

1.12 Audit

The Customer acknowledges that Xero is regularly audited against SOC 2 standards by an independent third-party auditor. Upon the Customer’s request, and subject to the confidentiality obligations set out in the Agreement, Xero will make available to the Customer (provided that they or their independent, third-party auditor are not a competitor of Xero) a copy of Xero’s SOC 2 report in the same manner and form that Xero makes it generally available to customers.

Annex A – Security measures

Information regarding the technical and organisational measures Xero has in place to protect Data in accordance with clause 1.6 of this Addendum is available in Xero’s SOC 2 report, which can be downloaded from the Xero website, and on Xero’s security pages security at Xero and secure data protection.

In addition, Xero is certified as compliant with ISO/IEC 27001:2013 which is globally recognised as the premier standard for information security management system (ISMS).

Annex B – Data processing schedule

1. Subject matter and duration of processing of personal data

The subject matter of personal data to be processed is that of the contacts of the Customer entered by or at the election of the Customer into the Xero platform.

The duration of processing personal data shall be for as long as we have a business relationship with the Customer, and at the end of that relationship, we will act in accordance with clause 1.11 regarding deletion or return of such personal data.

2. Nature and purpose of processing personal data

The nature and purpose of processing personal data is to enable the functionality of the Xero Platform as set out in the Agreement and related documentation.

3. Types of personal data processed

The types of personal data processed include:

a) names

b) addresses

c) contact details

d) identification details (for example, tax registration numbers)

e) other personal data types for use on the Xero platform

4. Categories of data subjects

The categories of data subjects include:

a) suppliers / service providers of Customer

b) customers / clients of Customer

c) employees / contractors of Customer

d) other contacts of the Customer