# R7 | mistralai/mistral-small-2603 | run 2

## Prompt

Explain the GDPR 'right to erasure' (right to be forgotten): what it is and its main limitations. Cite official sources.

## Response

The UK GDPR and EU GDPR both recognize the "right to erasure" (often called the "right to be forgotten"), which lets individuals request the deletion of their personal data. While it applies in several clear situations, the right is not absolute and includes multiple legal exemptions.

**What is the right to erasure?**
Under UK GDPR Article 17, individuals can request erasure of their personal data when it is:
- No longer necessary for the original purpose for which it was collected or processed
- Processed based on consent that the individual has withdrawn and no other legal ground exists
- Unlawfully processed
- Collected from children for online services where consent was the lawful basis
- Processed for direct marketing purposes and the individual objects [ico.org.uk](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/individual-rights/individual-rights/right-to-erasure/)[europa.eu](https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/data-protection/rules-business-and-organisations/dealing-citizens/do-we-always-have-delete-personal-data-if-person-asks_en)

Under EU GDPR Article 17, identical grounds apply, plus processing based on consent for special categories of data (e.g., health) that the individual withdraws [eur-lex.europa.eu](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?qid=1775261725114&uri=CELEX%3A02016R0679-20160504)[legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/17?view=plain)

**Key limitations**
The right does not apply when processing is necessary for:
- Exercising freedom of expression and information (including journalism)
- Compliance with a legal obligation
- Performance of a task in the public interest or official authority
- Archiving, scientific/historical research, or statistics if erasure would seriously impair such purposes
- Establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims
- Public interest reasons in public health (e.g., health security, medicinal safety) or preventative/occupational medicine under professional secrecy [ico.org.uk](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/individual-rights/individual-rights/right-to-erasure/)[eur-lex.europa.eu](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?qid=1775261725114&uri=CELEX%3A02016R0679-20160504)[legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/17?view=plain)

**Procedure**
Controllers must respond to erasure requests within one month and inform the individual of their decision, including reasons if the request is refused [ico.org.uk](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/individual-rights/individual-rights/right-to-erasure/)

Would you like details on how to submit an erasure request to a specific organization?
