Data Retention
/ˈdeɪtə rɪˈtɛnʃən/
Definitions
- (n.) The practice or legal obligation of maintaining and preserving data or records for a specified period to comply with regulatory, operational, or legal requirements.
The company's data retention policy requires storing customer records for at least five years.
- (n.) The period during which data must be retained before it is deleted or destroyed, as mandated by law or policy.
The data retention period for financial documents is typically seven years.
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Data retention is often defined by legislation or industry standards; clear specifications in policies help ensure compliance and limit risks related to data over-retention or premature deletion.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.