What does the term "data portability" refer to in privacy legislation?

Data portability refers to the ability of individuals to transfer their personal data from one service provider to another in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. This concept is a significant element of privacy legislation, particularly highlighted in regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and various discussions around privacy laws in the United States.

The right to data portability empowers individuals by giving them control over their information, allowing them to switch service providers without losing access to their data. For instance, if a person wants to move their social media data from one platform to another, data portability ensures that they can do so efficiently. This right encourages competition among service providers and fosters consumer choice, enabling individuals to manage their personal data better.

The other options describe different aspects of data privacy but do not align specifically with the concept of data portability. For example, requesting updates to personal data pertains to data accuracy rights, while deleting old data relates more closely to data deletion requests rather than portability. Refusing data collection is associated with consent and user choice, which is also important but distinct from the ability to transfer data.