CIPT (Certified Information Privacy Technologist) Practice

What is the "right to be forgotten"?

1. The ability to restrict the processing of personal data

2. The right of individuals to have their personal information deleted from databases

3. The right to access personal data held by organizations

4. The process of updating personal information in a database

The correct answer is: The right of individuals to have their personal information deleted from databases

The concept of the "right to be forgotten" refers specifically to the right of individuals to request the deletion of their personal information from databases and online services. This principle is particularly prominent in data protection laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union, which allows individuals to ask for their data to be erased when it's no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, or when they withdraw their consent on which the processing is based. This right empowers individuals to control their personal information, especially in an age where data is often held by multiple organizations and can be used in ways that individuals might not anticipate or agree with. It acknowledges the growing concern about privacy and the potential lasting impact of personal data being available online indefinitely. While the ability to restrict the processing of personal data and the right to access personal data are also important aspects of data protection, they do not encapsulate the specific essence of the "right to be forgotten." Similarly, updating personal information in a database pertains to data accuracy and management rather than the deletion of information, which is the core focus of the right in question.