What Is the Personal Data Destruction Feature?
The personal data destruction feature allows you to delete personal data that was unintentionally collected in standard questions — not in dedicated personal data questions.
Personal identifying information such as names, phone numbers, email addresses, addresses, and dates of birth should in principle be collected through dedicated personal data questions.
However, if personal data was collected in a standard text or image question type, you can use this feature to destroy the data contained in that variable.
💡 Usage tip | The personal data destruction feature only works by deleting all data contained in the variable. It is not possible to selectively delete only some data. If you want to exclude a specific variable from analysis only, please use the [Variable Hide] feature instead of destruction.
Before Using Personal Data Destruction, Please Make Sure to Check the Following!
All of the following conditions must be met to use the personal data destruction feature. If the conditions are not met, the [Personal Data Destruction] button will not appear on screen.
Conditions for use
Permission: You must have 'Privacy' member permission in the relevant Space.
Access level: The access level of the project containing the data must be set to 'Allow All.'
Collection status: All collection groups created in the survey must have a status of 'Closed.'
The collection group status can be changed in [Collect tab > Collection group list].
Destructible types: Only text-type and image-type variables are displayed in the variable list.
Text type includes saved parameter values.
⚠️ Once a destruction request is completed, it cannot be canceled or the data recovered. Please fully review the targets for destruction and the provided information before proceeding.
How to Destroy Personal Data
1️⃣ Select the variable to destroy.
step 1. On the variable list screen, click the [Personal Data Destruction] button.
step 2. In 'Personal Data Destruction,' select the variable whose data you want to destroy. Only text-type and image-type variables are displayed in the list.
2️⃣ Submit the personal data destruction request.
step 1. When you select the variable to destroy, 'Data destruction variable information' and 'Notes' are displayed. After reviewing the content, enter the reason for data destruction and the consent confirmation phrase.
step 2. Make a final check to confirm that these are the correct variables to destroy.
💡 Usage tip | If there are derived variables created by combining variables based on the variable you want to destroy, those variables will also be destroyed. Please check in advance whether there are any affected variables before proceeding with destruction.
step 3. Once both the data destruction reason and the consent confirmation phrase are entered, the [Destroy] button becomes active. Clicking the button submits the destruction request, and the actual data destruction may take 3 or more days.
💡 Usage tip | After the destruction request is submitted, creating, scheduling, or changing the status of collection groups will be restricted. However, imported variables are not linked to collection groups and are therefore not affected by this restriction.
step 4. Once the destruction request is submitted, a 'Scheduled destruction date' is displayed alongside the relevant question when viewing it in the Results tab. Until the destruction is complete, the data is handled in the same way as personal data question types.
💡 Usage tip | When the 'Scheduled destruction date' displayed in the Results tab changes to 'Destruction complete date,' the data destruction is finished.
Do you now have a good understanding of the personal data destruction feature?
If you still have questions after reviewing this guide, please contact us anytime via the [Customer Support icon] in the bottom right corner of your screen. Our team will do its best to help you resolve any difficulties you're experiencing.