Final answer:
The student's question relates to PCI DSS compliance for e-commerce merchants who outsource payment processing and do not handle cardholder data. The appropriate SAQ for these merchants is typically SAQ A, emphasizing the importance of online privacy and security to protect against data breaches.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and classifies the type of Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) that an e-commerce merchant should use if they outsource all payment processing to PCI DSS validated third parties. These merchants don't handle cardholder data directly on their websites, and there is no electronic storage, processing, or transmission of any cardholder data on the merchant's systems or premises. Given the described scenario, the most likely type of SAQ appropriate for such a merchant is SAQ A. This is because SAQ A is designed for merchants who outsource all cardholder data functions and have no direct control of the means through which cardholder data is captured, processed, or transmitted. The need for online privacy and security has been underscored by incidents like the data breaches at Target and JP Morgan, highlighting the importance of complying with PCI DSS requirements to protect against identity theft and maintain consumer trust.