# R7 | anthropic/claude-haiku-4.5 | run 1

## Prompt

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

## Response

The right to erasure, also known as the "right to be forgotten," is a GDPR provision allowing individuals to request deletion of their personal data from organizations that hold it. However, this right is not absolute and contains significant limitations where organizations can legally refuse erasure requests.

## What Is the Right to Erasure?

Under Article 17 of the UK GDPR, individuals have the right to obtain erasure of personal data concerning them without undue delay [ico.org.uk](https://cy.ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/individual-rights/individual-rights/right-to-erasure/). Organizations must respond to erasure requests within one month, and individuals can submit requests verbally or in writing. The right specifically applies to data held at the time the request is received—it does not apply to data created in the future [ico.org.uk](https://cy.ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/individual-rights/individual-rights/right-to-erasure/).

This right gains particular emphasis for data collected from children. If a child provided consent for data processing, that individual retains the right to request erasure even after reaching adulthood, since children may not have fully understood processing risks at the time [eur-lex.europa.eu](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj/eng/).

## When the Right to Erasure Applies

Individuals can request erasure in these circumstances:

- Personal data is no longer necessary for the original collection or processing purpose
- The individual withdraws consent that was the lawful basis for processing
- The individual objects to processing based on legitimate interests, with no overriding legitimate reason to continue
- Processing occurs for direct marketing and the individual objects
- Personal data was processed unlawfully (in breach of GDPR requirements)
- Personal data was collected to offer services to a child

## Main Limitations and Exemptions

The right to erasure does not apply when processing remains necessary for [legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/17?view=plain):

**Freedom of expression and information** – Organizations can retain data when erasure would interfere with the right to freedom of expression and information.

**Legal obligations** – If organizations must retain data by law, erasure does not apply [ico.org.uk](https://cy.ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/individual-rights/individual-rights/right-to-erasure/).

**Public interest and official authority** – Data processed for tasks carried out in the public interest or official authority cannot be erased.

**Public health** – Processing necessary for public health purposes in the public interest (such as protecting against serious health threats or ensuring healthcare quality) is exempt [ico.org.uk](https://cy.ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/individual-rights/individual-rights/right-to-erasure/).

**Archiving, research, and statistics** – Data retained for archiving in the public interest, scientific research, historical research, or statistical purposes cannot be erased if deletion would render these objectives impossible or seriously impair them [legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2016/679/article/17?view=plain).

**Legal claims** – Organizations can retain data necessary for establishing, exercising, or defending legal claims [ico.org.uk](https://cy.ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/individual-rights/individual-rights/right-to-erasure/).

**Special category data in healthcare** – For data in preventative medicine, occupational medicine, medical diagnosis, or healthcare management, erasure does not apply when processed by professionals bound by legal secrecy obligations [ico.org.uk](https://cy.ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/individual-rights/individual-rights/right-to-erasure/).

When refusing an erasure request, organizations must inform the individual of their decision without undue delay.

What specific scenario—such as a search engine, social media platform, or healthcare provider—are you most interested in regarding how the right to erasure applies?
