Portugal data collection practices are governed primarily by the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which is enforced in Portugal by the Comissão Nacional de Proteção de Dados (CNPD). Ethical data collection in Portugal, therefore, largely aligns with these stringent legal requirements, emphasizing respect for individual privacy and rights.
Ethically, data collection must be lawful, fair, and transparent. This means individuals must be clearly informed about what data is being collected, why it's being collected, how it will be used, and who it will be shared with. Transparency involves providing this information in an easily understandable manner, not using deceptive practices, and being upfront about the purposes from the outset.
Consent is a cornerstone of ethical data collection. Individuals generally portugal phone number list have the right to freely give their consent for their data to be processed. This means consent must be specific (for particular purposes), informed, unambiguous, and active (not pre-ticked boxes). Individuals must also have the easy ability to withdraw their consent at any time. Exceptions to needing explicit consent usually involve legitimate interests or legal obligations, but even these must be carefully weighed against the individual's rights and freedoms.
Furthermore, data collection should be limited to what is necessary. Organizations should only collect data that is adequate, relevant, and strictly necessary for the stated purposes. Collecting excessive data is generally considered unethical and potentially illegal.
Finally, ethical data collection includes implementing adequate security measures to protect the data from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse, and allowing individuals to exercise their rights, such as accessing their data or requesting its deletion. Adhering to these principles ensures that data collection respects individual dignity and contributes to building trust.