Re: DISCUSSION: archiving of NOMCOM information

[John Morris <jmorris@cdt.org>]

At 9:32 AM -0800 3/15/02, Randy Bush wrote:
> i believe it has one simple goal, responsible retention of
> all data in case it needs to be disclosed UNDER COURT ORDER
> (or your cultural equivalent) in a lawsuit or criminal
> proceeding.  hence, all data, including candidate data,
> needs to be kept.

FWIW, and without arguing that candidate data should or should not be 
kept, most responsible document retention policies do _not_ start 
with the assumption that all data should be kept.  Key goals for a 
retention policy should be that rational and reasonable decisions are 
made as to what data should be kept and for how long, the decisions 
about retention are made without reference to a particular existing 
or anticipated legal dispute, and data retention (and destruction) 
policies are thereafter followed unless and until a specific legal 
dispute suggests that document destruction should be suspended.

Perhaps a reasonable middle ground would be that info and comments on 
candidates should be retained as confidential for a period of time 
(perhaps until the conclusion of the next noncom?), and then 
destroyed.

John Morris


N.B.  And no, although "IAL", the above does not constitute legal advice.

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John Morris // CDT // http://www.cdt.org/standards
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