legitimate interest
The term "legitimate interest" is often used in legal, business, and ethical contexts to describe a valid and justifiable reason for certain actions or decisions.
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Definition
C1Data Protection
(technical, legal)A lawful basis for processing personal data when it is necessary for the interests of an organization or a third party, provided it does not override the rights and freedoms of the individual.
Example
- The company claimed legitimate interest for processing customer data to improve service quality.
- Under GDPR, organizations can rely on legitimate interest for direct marketing if it doesn't infringe on privacy.
C1Legal
(formal, legal)A justifiable stake or concern in a matter that is recognized and protected by law.
Example
- The court acknowledged the plaintiff's legitimate interest in the case.
- Legitimate interest is often considered in administrative decisions.
B2Ethics
(formal, ethical)A valid and reasonable expectation or claim to a particular benefit or outcome, based on fairness and appropriateness.
Example
- Employees have a legitimate interest in knowing how their data is used.
- The board discussed whether the proposal aligned with the company's legitimate interests.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "legitimate interest":