The Rise of the Personal Data Quality Principle. Is it Legal and Does it Have an Impact on the Right to Rectification?

Why accuracy needs further exploration in data protection

“…Is it a self-explanatory concept? -Accuracy and its elaboration as a concept seem not to have been particularly addressed in EU legal studies [1]. Some have observed that the principle of accuracy would be a 'crocodile of data protection' [2] for its antiquity.…”

“…What is the role of accuracy in the GDPR? -According to Hallinan and Borgesius [1], the principle of accuracy plays a double role in the structure GDPR. First, it is a substantive norm requiring personal data to be accurate, and where necessary, up to date (Article 5(1)(d) GDPR).…”

“…First, it is a substantive norm requiring personal data to be accurate, and where necessary, up to date (Article 5(1)(d) GDPR). Second, the "accuracy principle functions as instrumental of other data protection principles and as an applicability criterion for data subjects' rights" [2] such as the right to rectify inaccurate personal data and the right to object to the processing of inaccurate personal data (Dimitrova [1] in this regard, wrote about 'accuracy as an enabler of the right to rectification').…”

“…Between low-and over-accuracy -According to Article 5(1)(d) GDPR, accuracy requires to have "regard to the purposes for which [data] are processed". As Dimitrova puts it [1], accuracy is purpose and context-dependent. "[D]ata needs to be accurate enough for the specified purpose of the processing" (id.).…”

“…On the one hand, the purpose of the processing is crucial to avoid any adverse effects caused by a low level of accuracy in processing activities. 1 On the other hand, however, data should not be more accurate than what is required by the purpose of the processing [5]. In fact, while it might seem obvious that a lack of accuracy may bring disadvantages for individuals, paradoxically, also a high degree of accuracy may bring its shortcomings.…”