Skip to main content

Data Minimization Principles

Meaning

Data Minimization Principles are a core set of ethical and legal guidelines mandating that organizations should only collect, process, and retain the absolute minimum amount of personal data necessary to achieve a specified, legitimate purpose. In the clinical context, this means restricting the collection of health information solely to what is relevant and necessary for diagnosis, treatment, or clinical research. Applying this principle reduces the potential impact of a data breach and enhances patient privacy.