What is Data Retention Policy?
Rules that define how long an organization keeps personal data and when it must be deleted, a key requirement under privacy regulations.
Data retention policies determine the lifecycle of your personal data — how long it's kept and when it's destroyed.
Why It Matters
- Data that no longer exists cannot be breached, subpoenaed, or misused
- GDPR requires data to be kept only as long as necessary for its stated purpose
- Many companies retain data far longer than needed
Common Retention Periods
- ISP connection logs: varies by country (6 months to 2 years mandated in some EU countries)
- Financial records: typically 7 years (tax compliance)
- Medical records: varies (often 6-10 years after last visit)
- Surveillance footage: typically 30-90 days
What to Look For
When evaluating a service's privacy:
- Does their privacy policy state specific retention periods?
- Is there a mechanism to request deletion?
- Do they delete data when you close your account?
- How do they handle backups (data often persists in backups longer)?
Related Terms
Data Minimization
A privacy principle that organizations should collect only the minimum amount of personal data necessary for a specific purpose, and retain it only as long as needed. This reduces privacy risks by limiting exposure in case of breaches or misuse.
GDPR
The General Data Protection Regulation is a comprehensive data protection law in the European Union that gives individuals control over their personal data. It establishes strict requirements for how organizations collect, process, store, and transfer personal information.
Right to Be Forgotten
A legal right, primarily under GDPR Article 17, that allows individuals to request the deletion of their personal data from organizations and search engine results when it's no longer necessary or was processed without proper consent.
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