| name | right-to-erasure |
| title | Implementing Right to Erasure Workflow |
| description | Implements the GDPR Article 17 right to erasure (right to be forgotten) workflow, covering all six grounds for erasure, five exceptions, technical deletion versus anonymization decisions, and third-party notification under Article 19. Activate for erasure request, deletion request, right to be forgotten, Art. 17 queries. |
| author | mukul975 |
| author_url | https://github.com/mukul975/Privacy-Data-Protection-Skills/tree/main/skills/privacy/right-to-erasure |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| version | 0.1.0 |
| execution_mode | open |
| jurisdiction | general |
| practice | data-protection |
| language | en |
Implementing Right to Erasure Workflow
Overview
The right to erasure under GDPR Article 17 allows data subjects to request the deletion of their personal data. This right is not absolute — it is subject to specific grounds for erasure and a set of exceptions. This skill provides the complete operational procedure for receiving, assessing, executing, and confirming erasure requests.
Legal Foundation
GDPR Article 17 — Right to Erasure ('Right to be Forgotten')
Six Grounds for Erasure Under Art. 17(1)
The data subject has the right to obtain erasure where one of the following grounds applies:
- Art. 17(1)(a) — Purpose fulfilment: The personal data are no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed.
- Art. 17(1)(b) — Consent withdrawal: The data subject withdraws consent on which the processing is based under Art. 6(1)(a) or Art. 9(2)(a), and there is no other legal ground for the processing.
- Art. 17(1)(c) — Successful objection: The data subject objects pursuant to Art. 21(1) and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to processing for direct marketing under Art. 21(2).
- Art. 17(1)(d) — Unlawful processing: The personal data have been unlawfully processed.
- Art. 17(1)(e) — Legal obligation: The personal data have to be erased for compliance with a legal obligation in Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject.
- Art. 17(1)(f) — Child's data (information society services): The personal data have been collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to in Art. 8(1).
Five Exceptions Under Art. 17(3)
Erasure does NOT apply to the extent that processing is necessary for:
- Art. 17(3)(a) — Freedom of expression and information: Exercising the right of freedom of expression and information.
- Art. 17(3)(b) — Legal obligation: Compliance with a legal obligation which requires processing by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject, or for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.
- Art. 17(3)(c) — Public health: Reasons of public interest in the area of public health in accordance with Art. 9(2)(h) and (i), and Art. 9(3).
- Art. 17(3)(d) — Archiving/research: Archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes, or statistical purposes in accordance with Art. 89(1), in so far as the right to erasure is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the objectives of that processing.
