A method for data minimization in personal information sharing

A fundamental privacy principle, which is enforced in many privacy-enhancing technologies, is data minimization, i.e. the amount of personal data that are revealed to others and extend to which they are processed should be minimized. Privacy-enhancing identity management is important for processing personal data, the purpose of which is to protect personal data. This is especially relevant for communication via Internet where users are leaving much personal data. Privacy issues should be embedded into a system’s core functionality. Minimization of data should be maintained and controlled throughout the systems lifecycle, from the early stages of system analysis and design to implementation. The primary goal of this paper is to present a conceptual modelling method, including the framework, modelling process and the basic modelling constructs, which enables minimization of data. Data cannot be analysed separately without taken into account the processes that cause the changes of data as well as goals. Analysis of relevant data contributes to the problem of data minimization in privacy-enhancing technologies.