Do Delete. But Do It Right: Lessons from the Birthlink Case and the Principle of Respect in Data Retention

The storage limitation principle seems appears to be a ‘forgotten’ principles these days and many organisations often fear deletion for a variety of reasons. However, done properly, deletion is a mark of good governance and accountability. This session explores what happened in the Birthlink case and how it illustrates the importance of the storage limitation principle in practice. We will look at why deletion should be viewed as an act of respect for the people whose data we hold, and how to approach it confidently and responsibly. Through real examples and practical discussion, we will cover how to identify when data should be deleted, how to plan and document the process, and how to embed retention and deletion within a culture of accountability and care.