Definitions #
A data subject's right under GDPR to request the deletion of personal data concerning them, subject to legal exceptions such as compliance obligations or public interest.
Technical Under Art. 17 GDPR, the right to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data without undue delay, with grounds including withdrawal of consent, unlawful processing, or legal obligation.
Example The user invoked the right to erasure, and the social media platform deleted all profile data within one month.
Etymology #
From Old French droit, modern right meaning entitlement, + erasure from Latin erasura (a scratching out), reflecting the act of deletion.
Collocations #
- right to be forgotten 较早的同义词，强调解除网络搜索链接的权利
- erasure request 数据主体向控制者提出的删除申请
- legitimate retention 控制者以法定存储义务拒绝删除的正当理由
Real Business Examples #
- Upon receiving the erasure request, the controller assessed whether the data processing was still necessary for contract performance.
- The court ruled that the right to erasure must be balanced against the right to freedom of expression and information.
Register & Variants #
- Register: formal
- BrE/AmE: 全球通用，尤其欧盟法域；美式用 right to delete 但 GDPR 语境常用 erasure
Synonyms & Antonyms #
- Synonyms: right to be forgotten, erasure right
- Antonyms: right to data portability (complementary)
Common Errors #
- 以为 right to erasure 是绝对权利 GDPR 列有例外，如法律义务、公共利益、诉讼抗辩等，需逐案评估
- 把 'right to be forgotten' 等同于所有数据处理删除 该权利最初针对搜索引擎链接，现与 erasure 合并，但范围有限制
Confusable Terms #
- Data Portability vs Right to Erasure
- portability 是要求转移数据副本；erasure 是要求彻底删除数据
Frequently Asked Questions
公司不响应 erasure 请求会怎样?
可能面临监管处罚（GDPR 最高 4% 全球营业额）及数据主体诉讼
erasure 请求后还能保留备份吗?
如备份用于法律要求或技术安全且无法单独删除，可保留但需限制处理并设保留期限
Published: 2026-09-23 Category: Data Protection