Should Data Just Fade Away?
from the sometimes-yes,-but-often-no dept
Michael Scott points us to a report suggesting that one way to deal with the privacy issues of data stored online is to set up databases that automatically have plans to let data "fade away" over a certain period of time. Of course, I'm not sure what's particularly new or unique about this. Lots of companies have systems in place to purge types of data after it reaches a certain age. Most companies have log files that delete after 6 or 12 months or whatever. The other issue, of course, is that with new data retention laws in place, many companies are forced by the government to retain certain types of data. And, finally, even if you plan for certain data to be deleted, there's not necessarily a guarantee that it actually has been deleted.![Hide This Hide this](https://ii.techdirt.com/s/t/i/topclose.png)
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Filed Under: data, data retention, privacy
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(the little sods breed in the dark... I've seen them)
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Re:
The identifier being used is not really the problem. The problem is the misuse of the identifier as a was to ensure you are who you say you are and then the lack of a system to check what your identifier is being used for.
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Re: Re:
I agree with you 100%. Another issue is the fact that practically anyone can get a driver's license (hell, you can practically get one out of a cracker jack box) and the fact that that is used to open a bank account, get a cell phone, etc. All these IDs are being used for the most ridiculous things, none of which really coincide with their intended uses.
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Also laws should be forgotten if they are not used, we live in a dynamic society and if there are laws that no one uses or cares why should they stay in the books forever?
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Medical Records
How is this going to work?
The raw history of the world is now in data banks what should we do with that?
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Re: Medical Records
I know those things will get abused, but I think society should stand and fight for it not to be abused.
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Some imagination ppl...
What if a database could 'forget' data using various criteria like time, sensitivity, legal requirements etc. distilling it as it goes.
Not making a call on whether this is good bad or ugly but it would certainly be an interesting academic exercise.
The responses so far seem way too black and white for an article whose title implies shades of grey.
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Might not work on some data
Oh...and probably better security.
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Agreed. Forensic toolkits anyone? If the DB is going to "delete" information, short of destroying the storage device the data is on, its going to take additional steps to make sure that the data is gone for good. The DoD and Gutman (spelling?) standards come to mind...
It just seems like a lot more effort than a company is probably willing to spend to adequately delete data.
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Kind of reminds me of a proposed French law
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