Which statement best describes a legitimate purpose for collecting information?

Which statement best describes a legitimate purpose for collecting information?

• A. To prevent crime, protect property, ensure safety, or comply with laws or contractual obligations.
• B. To monitor customer preferences for advertising.
• C. To publish private data publicly.
• D. To extend loyalty program without consent.

Answer: (A)

Legitimate data collection rests on purpose—data is gathered to support activities that protect people and property or to comply with laws or contracts. The best description of a legitimate purpose lists concrete, permissible uses: preventing crime, protecting property, ensuring safety, and meeting legal or contractual obligations. These aims are generally accepted because they justify collecting and processing information in ways that serve safety and obligations, with appropriate safeguards. In contrast, using data just for advertising without consent or publishing private data publicly goes beyond legitimate purposes and raises privacy and legal concerns, which is why those options don’t fit as legitimate reasons for collection.