Glossary > Privacy > Data Protection > Data Minimization

Minimum Data Retention Period

Minimum data retention period refers to the shortest amount of time that an organization holds onto an individual's personal information before securely deleting or anonymizing it.

Example #1

An online retailer keeping customer names and addresses for two years after a purchase before removing the data from their system.

Example #2

A healthcare provider retaining patient medical records for five years post-treatment to comply with legal requirements.

Misuse

Misuse of minimum data retention periods can lead to prolonged storage of unnecessary personal data, increasing the risk of data breaches, unauthorized access, and misuse. For example, a company retaining customer credit card details indefinitely, exposing individuals to financial fraud and identity theft.

Benefits

Maintaining a minimum data retention period helps organizations limit the amount of personal data they store, reducing the risk of data breaches and protecting individuals' privacy. For instance, a social media platform implementing a data retention policy that deletes inactive user accounts after six months safeguards user information.

Conclusion

By setting and adhering to minimum data retention periods, organizations prioritize data minimization and enhance consumer privacy and data protection.

Last Modified: 4/30/2024