Definition
Zero data retention
A processing policy or architecture in which request content is not retained after the operation beyond what is technically required to complete it.
Why it matters
The practical consequence.
Retention controls reduce exposure for sensitive workflows, but they must cover application logs, model providers, caches, traces, and error systems—not only the primary database.
Example
How it appears in a system.
A workflow can transform a Social Security number into a masked token without storing the original value in prompts, logs, or application history.
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