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Data Retention

Definition

Policies for how long data is kept before deletion.

In Plain English

Data retention is like a filing policy—rules for how long to keep documents before shredding.

Real-World Example

Your privacy policy might state you retain customer data for 3 years after their last purchase.

Why It Matters for Your Work

Retention policies affect legal compliance, storage costs, and privacy risk.

Common Mistake

Keeping data forever "just in case." This increases storage costs and privacy liability.

Related Terms

Backup

A copy of data stored separately for recovery purposes.

PII

Personally Identifiable Information—data that can identify a specific individual.

Compliance

Meeting legal, regulatory, or industry standards for data handling and security.