A retention policy sets how long data may be stored and what happens when that period ends. In analytics, it turns data minimization into an operational rule: keep only information that remains necessary, then delete, scrub, anonymize, or restrict access. section 8.3.1 section 8.2.1
A practical policy connects several decisions:
- Define the business or analytical need for retaining each category of data. section 8.3.1
- Set a time limit with the team instead of keeping records indefinitely. section 8.3.1
- Specify whether expired data is deleted, scrubbed, anonymized, or placed behind tighter access controls. section 8.3.1 section 8.2.1
- Coordinate requirements with analytics, IT, security, and legal stakeholders. section 8.2.1
E-commerce user behavior data
An e-commerce analytics team replaces names, email addresses, and phone numbers with an anonymized user ID, generalizes precise location fields, and applies a defined retention period to website behavior data. The changes reduce exposure while preserving information useful for analysis. section 8.3.1
