Löschungspflichten

Löschungspflichten refers to legal obligations requiring the deletion or removal of data under specific circumstances. These duties are a fundamental aspect of data protection and privacy regulations, aiming to prevent the unnecessary retention of personal information. The most prominent example is the "right to erasure" or "right to be forgotten," enshrined in regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This right allows individuals to request the deletion of their personal data when it is no longer necessary for the purpose it was collected, or when consent is withdrawn.

Beyond individual requests, Löschungspflichten can also arise from statutory retention periods. Certain laws mandate that specific types of data, such as financial records or medical information, must be kept for a defined duration for legal or regulatory purposes. Conversely, once these periods expire, there is often a corresponding obligation to delete the data. The principle of data minimization, which advocates for collecting and retaining only the data that is strictly necessary, also underpins these deletion duties. Failure to adhere to Löschungspflichten can lead to significant fines and reputational damage for organizations. Effective implementation requires robust data management policies and technical measures to ensure timely and secure deletion.