Two data subjects' rights do not apply if the fulfilment of the right would be impossible. Thus, the general legal principle "impossibilium nulla est obligatio" is codified in these two provisions:

Art. 14 V b: “Paragraphs 1 to 4 [information obligation] shall not apply where and insofar as the provision of such information proves impossible […].”

 

Art. 19 (1): “The controller shall communicate any rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing carried out in accordance with Article 16, Article 17 (1) and Article 18 to each recipient to whom the personal data have been disclosed, unless this proves impossible […].”