Does unsubscribing remove all personal data?

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Unsubscribing stops future emails but doesn't trigger data deletion. These are separate rights. Think of unsubscribe as pausing communication while your record remains on file; data deletion (right to erasure) requires a distinct request.

You must keep unsubscribe records to prevent re-emailing that person. This suppression list is legally necessary and permitted even under strict privacy laws. Deleting all data would actually harm compliance by losing the unsubscribe record.

If someone wants full data deletion, they must specifically request it. Then you delete everything except the suppression entry (email hash or identifier) that prevents future contact. Explain this distinction in your privacy policy to set expectations.

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I just read that unsubscribing doesn't delete personal data. But if someone unsubscribes, can I keep their email address on file after they've asked to leave? What's the legal difference between "stop emailing me" and "delete my data," and how should I actually handle these requests in my system?

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