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Who Owns Data Retention in Your Organisation?

Is it IT? Legal? HR? Retention needs ownership — or it becomes a shared blind spot. Here’s how to assign responsibility. Without a clear owner, data retention becomes everyone’s responsibility — and no one’s priority. Ownership models that work: Either model can work — but only if: Assigning ownership turns policy into practice. Without it,…

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Is it IT? Legal? HR? Retention needs ownership — or it becomes a shared blind spot. Here’s how to assign responsibility.

Without a clear owner, data retention becomes everyone’s responsibility — and no one’s priority.

Ownership models that work:

  • Centralised: Compliance or the Data Protection Officer (DPO) owns the framework
  • Decentralised: Department heads implement retention rules locally

Either model can work — but only if:

  • Roles are documented
  • Retention policies are enforced
  • Audit trails exist

Assigning ownership turns policy into practice. Without it, even good policies gather dust.

Dr Floyd Millen profile picture
Dr Floyd Millen

Floyd Millen is the founder of PrivacyIQ, bringing over a decade's experience in data protection and privacy risk from senior roles at organisations including the BBC, HMRC, BNP Paribas, and Post Office Ltd. He helps businesses of every size turn compliance into a genuine strategic asset.

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