Which principle emphasizes the importance of having a legitimate reason for establishing personal files?

The principle that emphasizes the importance of having a legitimate reason for establishing personal files is the seriousness of reasons. This principle underscores the need for organizations to ensure that they have valid and necessary justifications before collecting and processing personal information. It ensures that personal data is collected only for specific, legitimate purposes and that these purposes are appropriate given the context.

This principle protects individuals' rights by ensuring that their personal data is not collected or processed without a sound rationale. It reflects a broader commitment to responsible data management, encouraging organizations to consider the necessity and implications of their data practices. By requiring a serious justification for data collection, this principle helps to mitigate the risk of excessive or unnecessary data processing, thereby fostering trust between individuals and organizations in their handling of personal information.

In contrast, data minimization focuses on limiting the amount of personal data collected, lawfulness of processing pertains to the legal basis for processing data, and fairness and transparency emphasize the need for clear communication with individuals about how their data is used. While these principles are important, they do not directly highlight the necessity of having a legitimate reason for establishing personal files in the same way that the seriousness of reasons does.