As privacy compliance lawyers, we help businesses navigate the complexities of data minimization and retention, two foundational principles of modern privacy regulations. Data minimization means collecting, processing, and storing only the personal information necessary for a specific, legitimate purpose, while data retention compliance ensures data is kept only as long as needed and then securely deleted or anonymized.
Why Data Minimization & Retention Compliance Matters
Regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), and emerging U.S. state and global laws require organizations to limit personal data collection and retention to what is “adequate, relevant, and limited” to the intended purpose. Over-collection or excessive retention can lead to regulatory penalties, increased exposure to data breaches, and reputational harm.
Our Data Minimization & Retention Compliance Services
- Legal Assessment and Gap Analysis: We review your current data collection, processing, and retention practices to identify compliance gaps and recommend improvements, including via privacy impact assessments and data maps.
- Policy Drafting and Review: We help you draft or update privacy policies, data retention schedules, and internal procedures to ensure alignment with legal requirements.
- Employee Training: We provide tailored training to ensure your team understands and implements data minimization and retention best practices.
- Ongoing Compliance Support: We offer continuous support to help you adapt to evolving regulations and maintain compliance.
How to Implement Data Minimization & Retention
- Conduct a Data Audit: Identify what personal data you collect, why you collect it, and how long you retain it.
- Define Clear Purposes: Only collect data necessary for specific, disclosed purposes.
- Limit Data Retention: Delete or anonymize data when it is no longer needed for its original purpose.
- Review and Update Regularly: Periodically assess your data practices to ensure ongoing compliance.
Contact Us
Ensure your business is compliant with data minimization and retention requirements. Contact our privacy and technology law team today for a consultation.
Data Retention & Minimization Resources
- State Data Minimization Laws Spark Compliance Uncertainty: A new wave of state consumer privacy laws focused on limiting data collection is creating anxiety among businesses—and Maryland is leading the charge. The Maryland Online Data Privacy Act (MODPA), set to take effect in October 2025, requires companies to collect only data that is “reasonably necessary and proportionate” to their stated purposes. Read More
- We Get Privacy for Work: The Increasing Importance of Data Mapping: To effectively and immediately respond to cybersecurity data breaches – and remain compliant with the constant bevy of new data privacy laws – you need to know what data your organization is collecting and from whom. Read More
- Data minimization: An increasingly global concept: Data minimization requirements are not new, but they are becoming more common, and enforcement is on the rise. Read More