Why Data Minimisation is Key in Emerging Privacy Regulations (EU GDPR, India DPDP Act, and Qatar PDPPL)

Sameer Ahirrao -

As businesses collect more information than ever before, regulators are drawing a line in the stone. Privacy laws across the globe are no longer focused solely on how data is protected, they are now scrutinizing how much data is collected in the first place. The emerging wave of privacy frameworks, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), and Qatar’s Personal Data Privacy Protection Law (PDPPL) to name a few, reflects a growing consensus: unnecessary data collection is a liability, not an asset.

Data minimisation, once considered a technical guideline, is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of responsible data handling. Organizations are being asked to justify every piece of information they collect, store, or process, not just from a compliance standpoint, but as a critical component of privacy obligations, cybersecurity, operational efficiency, and customer trust.

In this blog, we’ll break down why data minimisation is at the forefront of regulatory changes, the consequences of ignoring it and practical steps businesses can take to align with the new privacy landscape.

Understanding Data Minimisation

At its core, data minimisation ensures that companies avoid excessive data collection and reduce risks related to misuse, exposure, or non-compliance. It requires organizations to ask key questions before collecting or processing data:

  • Is this data necessary for the stated purpose?
  • Can the same objective be achieved with less personal information?
  • How long should this data be retained before it is no longer required for the purpose?

By narrowing down the scope of data collection, organizations not only align with regulatory mandates but also build stronger trust with customers who are increasingly concerned about how their data is handled.

Data Minimisation in the EU GDPR

The GDPR, explicitly enshrines data minimisation in Article 5(1)(c). It requires that personal data be:

  • Adequate (sufficient to achieve the purpose)
  • Relevant (linked directly to the need)
  • Limited to what is necessary (no extra or redundant data)

For example, if a company is collecting email addresses for sending e-newsletters, asking for marital status or home address would violate this principle. Under GDPR, excessive or unnecessary data collection can lead to penalties and reputational damage.

Data Minimisation in India’s DPDP Act

India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) also emphasizes data minimisation, though framed in terms of purpose limitation and necessity. The Act requires that:

  • Personal data should only be processed for lawful purposes explicitly stated to the individual (Data Principal).
  • Only data that is necessary for fulfilling that purpose should be collected.
  • Data fiduciaries (organizations handling data) must delete personal data once the purpose is fulfilled or retention is no longer required.

This means businesses in India must revisit their data collection practices, moving away from blanket collect everything “just in case” approaches. For example, a food delivery app should not collect unrelated details like employment information if it’s not essential for its operations.

Data Minimisation in Qatar’s PDPPL

Qatar’s Personal Data Privacy Protection Law (PDPPL), aligns closely with global standards such as GDPR. It requires organizations to ensure that:

  • Data collected is proportionate and limited to the intended purpose.
  • Individuals are informed of the exact reasons their data is being collected.
  • Excessive retention or processing beyond stated purposes is prohibited.

In Qatar’s context, where digital transformation and cross-border data flows are accelerating, strict adherence to minimization principles helps businesses maintain regulatory compliance while avoiding potential enforcement actions by the Compliance and Data Protection Department under the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Why Data Minimisation is Becoming Central

  • Reduces Regulatory Risk: With fines under GDPR reaching up to 4% of global turnover and India’s DPDP Act authorizing penalties up to ₹50 crore, minimizing data reduces exposure to costly violations.
  • Strengthens Cybersecurity: The less personal data stored, the smaller the attack surface for hackers. Data minimisation reduces both the likelihood and impact of breaches.
  • Boosts Consumer Trust: Customers are more likely to engage with businesses that demonstrate respect for privacy. Collecting only necessary data signals responsibly and transparently.
  • Lowers Operational Costs: Storing, managing, and protecting unnecessary data increases infrastructure costs and compliance burdens. Minimization brings efficiency.

How Organizations Can Implement Data Minimisation

  • Data Mapping & Inventory: Identify what data is being collected, where it resides, and whether it serves a valid purpose for which it was collected.
  • Purpose-Driven Collection: Align every data field collected with a clear, lawful purpose. Remove or justify anything that isn’t directly tied.
  • Automated Retention & Deletion Policies: Set retention rules to securely delete personal data once its purpose is complete.
  • Privacy by Design: Incorporate data minimisation into product design, app development, and business processes from the outset.
  • Regular Audits: Periodically review practices to ensure continued compliance with evolving laws.

Key Benefits of Using TurtleShield for Data Minimisation

Ardent Privacy’s TurtleShield platform empowers organizations to move beyond manual compliance efforts and integrate automated, policy-driven data minimisation into everyday operations.

  • Centralized Data Visibility: Single-pane-of-glass view of sensitive and personal data across the enterprise.
  • Lower Compliance Costs: Automating minimisation reduces the need for manual audits and reporting.
  • Reduced Risk Exposure: By storing and processing less personal data, organizations reduce both regulatory and cybersecurity risks.
  • Trust & Transparency: Demonstrates to customers and regulators that the organization follows privacy-by-design principles.

Conclusion

By combining purpose-specific data collection, automated retention controls, risk-based access management, and anonymization tools, TurtleShield empowers organizations to operationalize data minimisation seamlessly. Whether it’s the stringent requirements of the GDPR, the consent-driven frameworks of India’s DPDP Act, or the proportionality-focused rules of Qatar’s PDPPL, TurtleShield ensures that data is handled with precision, care, and accountability, helping organizations stay compliant while building trust and reducing risk.