CIPT (Certified Information Privacy Technologist) Practice

What key principle involves limiting data collection to what is necessary?

1. Data Integrity

2. Data Retention

3. Data Minimization

4. Data Security

The correct answer is: Data Minimization

The key principle that involves limiting data collection to what is necessary is known as Data Minimization. This principle emphasizes the importance of collecting only the data that is essential for a specific purpose, thereby reducing the volume of personal information held by an organization. By adhering to Data Minimization, organizations not only fulfill ethical obligations to individuals regarding their privacy but also comply with various privacy regulations, which often mandate that data collection should be relevant and proportional to the purpose for which it is processed. This principle helps mitigate risks associated with data breaches, as holding less data reduces the potential impact in the event of unauthorized access. Additionally, it facilitates a more manageable data governance process, ensuring that organizations focus on maintaining the quality and integrity of the information they actually need. In contrast, the other principles such as Data Integrity, Data Retention, and Data Security relate to different aspects of data management. Data Integrity focuses on ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data collected, Data Retention pertains to how long data should be kept, and Data Security involves protecting data from unauthorized access and breaches. While all these concepts are crucial for effective data management and privacy compliance, they do not specifically address the reduction of data collection inherent in Data Minimization.