Can you explain the concept of "data minimization"?

Data minimization is a principle that revolves around the idea of collecting only the personal data that is necessary for achieving a specific purpose. This means that organizations should carefully assess what data is essential for their operations and avoid gathering excessive information that may not be required. By adhering to this principle, organizations can reduce privacy risks, comply with regulatory frameworks, and safeguard individual privacy.

This approach not only helps in limiting the exposure of personal data to potential breaches but also aligns with best practices in ethical data handling. In contrast, collecting as much data as possible, storing data indefinitely, or simply limiting access to data does not address the core principle of minimizing unnecessary data collection. These practices may lead to higher risks of data misuse or breaches, which is counterproductive to maintaining privacy and adhering to ethical obligations.