What is data minimization?

What is data minimization?

• A. Collect only data essential for research aims; reduces risk and simplifies data management.
• B. Delete data after 24 hours.
• C. Collect as much data possible to maximize insights.
• D. Store data in multiple formats for redundancy.

Answer: (A)

Data minimization means collecting only data that are truly necessary to achieve the research aims, and then keeping and using only that limited set of data. This approach reduces privacy risks by limiting exposure of participants’ information and makes data management easier and more compliant with ethical and legal requirements. The option described matches this idea by emphasizing gathering only data essential for the research and noting that this reduces risk and simplifies handling. Other options describe practices like deleting data after a certain time, collecting as much data as possible, or storing data in multiple formats—these are about retention, data quantity, or storage, not about limiting what is collected in the first place.

Data minimization means collecting only data that are truly necessary to achieve the research aims, and then keeping and using only that limited set of data. This approach reduces privacy risks by limiting exposure of participants’ information and makes data management easier and more compliant with ethical and legal requirements. The option described matches this idea by emphasizing gathering only data essential for the research and noting that this reduces risk and simplifies handling. Other options describe practices like deleting data after a certain time, collecting as much data as possible, or storing data in multiple formats—these are about retention, data quantity, or storage, not about limiting what is collected in the first place.