Ireland
AI and client confidentiality in Ireland: GDPR, the DPC and professional guidance for solicitors and accountants
By Hugo Ribeiro · Updated
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Data protection: the GDPR and the DPC
The GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 apply whenever an AI tool processes personal data. The Data Protection Commission's guidance "AI, Large Language Models and Data Protection" (18 July 2024) asks organisations to understand the additional data protection risks of using third-party AI products (William Fry summary). Pseudonymised data is still personal data under article 4(5) and recital 26 of the GDPR, and the EDPB's Guidelines 01/2025 explain how pseudonymisation reduces risk. That is the honest description of what Velado does.
The PPS number is a restricted identifier
Under section 262 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, only specified bodies and their agents may use the PPS number, for public service transactions; the Oireachtas has been told it is an offence for anyone else to use it or seek its disclosure (Dáil answer, 2014). Accountants acting as tax agents handle PPS numbers every day, but an AI provider is not a specified body. Velado detects PPS numbers, including the old RSI format, and replaces them before anything leaves your computer.
Solicitors
The Law Society of Ireland published its Guidelines for the use of generative AI by the legal profession in Ireland in November 2025. They urge firms to set out permitted uses, accountability and safeguards to ensure compliance with the GDPR, client confidentiality and privilege (Law Society Gazette). In 2026, delegates at the Society's AI in Legal Practice Summit were warned that public versions of generative AI tools pose serious issues for privilege and confidentiality (Gazette, April 2026).
Accountants
Chartered Accountants Ireland's guide "The Ethical Use of AI Technologies" (August 2026) states that its Code of Ethics applies to all professional activities, whatever tools, technologies or techniques members use, and lists confidentiality and data privacy among the threats AI raises (Chartered Accountants Ireland).
What Velado detects in Irish documents
PPS numbers (including the RSI format), Eircodes, IE VAT numbers, CRO company numbers, Irish mobile numbers, IBANs, English-style street addresses, names after "Client:", "Director:", "Tenant:" and similar, plus UK identifiers for cross-border clients.
On your computer
Client: Siobhán Murphy, PPSN 1234567TA, D02 X285, IBAN IE29 AIBK 9311 5212 3456 78
What the AI sees
Client: [PESSOA_1], PPSN [DOC_ID_1], [CODIGO_POSTAL_1], IBAN [IBAN_1]
Price in EUR
- Individual, 1 user: €129 per year
- Firm, up to 5 users: €449 per year
- Firm+, up to 15 users: €990 per year
Prices exclude VAT and sales tax. Free public beta until 31 January 2027, then a 14-day free trial. All plans.
This page summarises public guidance for information only. It is not legal advice; check your professional body's current rules.
FAQ
Is Velado a processor under the GDPR?
No. Velado runs on your computer and doesn't receive your documents, so there is no processing by us to put under a data processing agreement. You remain the controller of what you then send to an AI provider.
Does it work with Revenue and ROS documents?
It works with the files you export: PDF, Excel, Word, CSV. PPS numbers, Eircodes and IBANs are detected in all of them.
What does it cost in Ireland?
€129 per year for one user, €449 for a team of up to 5 and €990 for up to 15, excluding VAT. The first 100 customers keep the founder price (€89, €349, €790) for life.
Other countries
Velado for US accounting and law firms: use AI without exposing client data
United KingdomAI and client confidentiality in the UK: what ICAEW, the SRA and the ICO expect from accountants and solicitors
CanadaAI and client confidentiality in Canada: PIPEDA, CPA Rule 208 and the law societies
MaltaAI and professional secrecy in Malta: the Professional Secrecy Act, the GDPR and client documents
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