What does the principle of purpose limitation in GDPR state?

The principle of purpose limitation in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) asserts that personal data must be collected for specified, legitimate purposes and cannot be processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes. This principle is fundamental to ensuring that individuals' data is handled with transparency and integrity. It emphasizes the importance of clearly defining why data is being collected at the outset and adhering to that purpose for any subsequent processing activities.

This means organizations must inform individuals about the reasons for collecting their data, making it crucial to have a clear purpose that is both legitimate and lawful. This principle helps safeguard individuals' privacy and prevents misuse of their data in ways that go beyond the original intent.

Options suggesting that data should be available to all departments, can be reused for any future purpose, or that data collection should be minimal and sporadic do not align with the core tenets of the GDPR. The regulation seeks to protect personal data by ensuring that it is only used for its intended purpose, thereby respecting individuals' rights and privacy.