What does GDPR's accuracy principle refer to?

The accuracy principle under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) emphasizes that personal data must be accurate, complete, and kept up to date. This principle is critical because it ensures that individuals' data reflects true and current circumstances, thereby minimizing the risk of harm that could arise from relying on outdated or incorrect information. Keeping data accurate is essential not only for compliance with GDPR but also for fostering trust with individuals whose data is being processed.

For example, in contexts such as financial services or healthcare, having up-to-date and error-free data can significantly affect the quality of service provided and the decisions made based on that data. Thus, organizations must implement processes to regularly review and correct personal data when inaccuracies are identified.

The other aspects, like keeping data indefinitely, sharing with third parties, or anonymizing data, do not directly pertain to the accuracy of data. Each of these aspects involves different principles and requirements under GDPR that address data retention, data sharing permissions, and data privacy, respectively.