GDPR · Article 17
When does the GDPR right to erasure apply?
The right to erasure, and the grounds on which it can be refused, are both in Article 17.
Below is the provision itself, word for word, from the current consolidated version (consolidated 2016-05-04). Check it on EUR-Lex ↗
GDPR, Article 17(1) — Right to erasure (‘right to be forgotten’)
The data subject shall have the right to obtain from the controller the erasure of personal data concerning him or her without undue delay and the controller shall have the obligation to erase personal data without undue delay where one of the following grounds applies: (a) the personal data are no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed; (b) the data subject withdraws consent on which the processing is based according to point (a) of Article 6(1), or point (a) of Article 9(2), and where there is no other legal ground for the processing; (c) the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(1) and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for the processing, or the data subject objects to the processing pursuant to Article 21(2); (d) the personal data have been unlawfully processed; (e) the personal data have to be erased for compliance with a legal obligation in Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject; (f) the personal data have been collected in relation to the offer of information society services referred to in Article 8(1).
GDPR, Article 17(2) — Right to erasure (‘right to be forgotten’)
Where the controller has made the personal data public and is obliged pursuant to paragraph 1 to erase the personal data, the controller, taking account of available technology and the cost of implementation, shall take reasonable steps, including technical measures, to inform controllers which are processing the personal data that the data subject has requested the erasure by such controllers of any links to, or copy or replication of, those personal data.
GDPR, Article 17(3) — Right to erasure (‘right to be forgotten’)
Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to the extent that processing is necessary: (a) for exercising the right of freedom of expression and information; (b) for compliance with a legal obligation which requires processing by Union or Member State law to which the controller is subject or for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller; (c) for reasons of public interest in the area of public health in accordance with points (h) and (i) of Article 9(2) as well as Article 9(3); (d) for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes in accordance with Article 89(1) in so far as the right referred to in paragraph 1 is likely to render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the objectives of that processing; or (e) for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
Your situation is not in the text. The provision above is the law; applying it to your case is the actual work. Ask this in the chat and you get the same verbatim provisions plus a plain-language reading, kept visibly separate. 7-day Pro trial, no card — and it is not legal advice.
Full article: GDPR, Article 17 · All of GDPR
Related questions
- What is the GDPR deadline to report a personal data breach?
- When must we tell affected people about a data breach?
- What are the lawful bases for processing personal data under the GDPR?
Not legal advice. Texts © European Union, reuse permitted (Decision 2011/833/EU) — only the EUR-Lex original is authentic.