Making proportionate decisions.
WHAT THE TENSION IS
Data is useful, and holding it carries obligations and risk.
WHAT A PROPORTIONATE DECISION CONSIDERS
The benefit, specifically The intrusion, honestly Whether less data achieves the benefit What people would expect What harm is possible
WHAT TO AVOID
Deciding on the basis of what is technically permitted alone.
WHY
Lawful processing can still damage trust.
WHAT THE USEFUL TEST IS
Whether you would be comfortable explaining it to the person.
WHY THAT TEST WORKS
Most problematic processing fails it immediately.
WHAT ANOTHER TEST IS
Whether you would be comfortable reading about it publicly.
WHAT TO DO WHEN A PROPOSAL FAILS EITHER
Redesign it, rather than refusing outright.
WHAT REDESIGN USUALLY MEANS
Less data, clearer purpose, better transparency.
WHAT TO RESIST
Collecting because it might be useful later.
WHY
It is the origin of most exposure.
WHAT TO DOCUMENT
The reasoning, including what was rejected.
WHY
It demonstrates consideration, which is what accountability requires.
WHAT TO ACCEPT
That some genuinely useful things should not be done.
WHAT TO RECOGNISE
That restraint is occasionally the professional answer.
