Description: Data minimization is a fundamental practice in identity and access management that focuses on limiting the collection of personal data to what is strictly necessary to fulfill a specific purpose. This strategy aims to reduce the risk of exposure of sensitive information, ensuring that only essential data is collected and stored for the operation of a service or system. Data minimization not only helps protect user privacy but also facilitates compliance with data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe. By adopting this practice, organizations can enhance their reputation and trust among users by demonstrating a commitment to security and ethics in handling personal information. Furthermore, data minimization can optimize system performance by reducing the amount of information that needs to be processed and stored, which can, in turn, lower operational costs and improve overall efficiency.
History: Data minimization has gained prominence due to the increasing concern for privacy and personal data protection in the digital age. Although the idea of limiting data collection is not new, its formalization as a design principle in information systems was solidified with the enactment of data protection laws in the 1990s. The implementation of the GDPR in 2018 marked a significant milestone, establishing data minimization as a legal requirement in Europe, which has influenced the adoption of similar practices in other regions of the world.
Uses: Data minimization is primarily used in the development of digital applications and services, where the goal is to collect only the information necessary to provide a specific functionality. It is also applied in database management, where the amount of stored data is limited to reduce security risks. Additionally, it is a key principle in data protection impact assessments (DPIA), where the focus is on how to minimize the data collected in new projects.
Examples: An example of data minimization is the use of online forms that only request essential information, such as name and email address, instead of additional data that is not necessary for the form’s purpose. Another case is the use of authentication tools that allow users to log in using third-party credentials, avoiding the need to collect and store passwords. Additionally, many health applications have begun to implement data minimization by collecting only the relevant medical information for patient treatment.
