What principle of the DPA prevents excessive data retention?

The principle of the Data Privacy Act that prevents excessive data retention is referred to as storage limitation. This principle specifically mandates that personal data should not be retained for longer than necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected. By enforcing this principle, organizations are encouraged to regularly assess their data storage practices and ensure that they delete or anonymize personal information that is no longer useful or relevant to their operations.

In essence, storage limitation promotes accountability and safeguards individuals' privacy rights by ensuring that their data is not held indefinitely, which could lead to unauthorized access or misuse. This principle complements other data protection principles by helping to create a balanced approach to data management, emphasizing the importance of protecting individuals' personal information from unnecessary exposure over time.