What is the main purpose of "data erasure" (the right to be forgotten) in data ethics and privacy?

Data erasure, also known as the "right to be forgotten", is a core principle in data privacy laws such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

The main purpose of data erasure is to allow individuals to request the deletion of their personal data when it is no longer necessary, or when they withdraw consent.

This empowers users to have control over their digital footprint and ensures that organizations respect personal privacy rights.

Option A is incorrect because data erasure reduces, not increases, accessibility.

Option B is incorrect because while it helps protect information, its main goal is giving users the right to request deletion.

Option C is incorrect as data erasure does not directly aim to improve data quality.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option D: To allow individuals to request data removal.