retensjons

Retensjon is a term used in Norwegian and other Scandinavian languages to describe the act of detaining, withholding, or preserving something, typically by an authority or institution. In legal contexts it most often refers to temporary deprivation of liberty or custody of a person for investigative purposes, such as by police or other public bodies. The exact rules governing retensjon—its duration, permissible conditions, and safeguards—vary by country and are usually defined in national or regional law. Safeguards commonly include limits on how long a person can be held, the right to legal counsel, access to information about the reasons for the retensjon, and judicial oversight or review.

Beyond personal detention, retensjon can also denote the withholding or custody of goods, documents, or funds. For example, authorities may place a hold on shipments to secure duties, compliance with regulations, or the preservation of evidence. In corporate or administrative contexts, retensjon may refer to the preservation of data or records for operational needs or legal obligations. In information technology and privacy discourse, the term is sometimes used to describe data retention—the practice of storing user or system data for a defined period to meet security, operational, or legal requirements.

Etymology traces retensjon to Latin retentio, via French retention, conveying the idea of keeping back or holding. The precise sense and scope of retensjon depend on language, jurisdiction, and context, ranging from detention in criminal justice to withholding of goods or data.