Habeas data

/ˈheɪbiəs ˈdeɪtə/ noun

A legal right allowing individuals to access, correct, or delete personal information held about them by government agencies or private organizations. It's essentially a writ for data protection and privacy.

Modern Latin combining 'habeas' (you should have) from habeas corpus with 'data' (information given). Coined in the late 20th century as privacy laws developed, it mirrors the ancient habeas corpus concept but applies to information rather than physical detention.

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