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There are four steps to make a data deletion request in GA4:

1. Select the deletion type
2. Select the deletion range
3. Select the deletion filter
4. Confirm the data deletion request.

Let’s go through each step in detail.

Step 1: Select the deletion type

This is where you need to specify what type of data you want to delete from your GA4 property. There are four options to choose from:

• Delete all parameters on all events
• Delete all registered parameters on selected events
• Delete all selected parameters on all events
• Delete selected registered parameters on selected events
• Delete selected user properties

To understand these options, you need to have a basic understanding of the GA4 data structure, which consists of events and event parameters, and users and user properties.

Informational services provide information, such as reports, fact sheets or videos, to users.

They may include:

• government agency websites
• smart answers and virtual assistants
• e-learning
• publications
• online libraries
• databases and data warehouses.

Transactional services lead to a change in government-held records, typically involving an exchange of information, money, licences or goods.

Examples of transactional services include:

• logging in to a portal or platform
• submitting a claim
• registering a business
• updating contact details
• lodging a tax return
• subscribing to newsletters
• grant applications
• public consultation submissions.
   

Under the Digital Experience Policy, the Digital Access Standard is mandatory and applies to digital services that are:

• owned by non-corporate Commonwealth entities
• informational or transactional
• authenticated or unauthenticated
• new or replacement of existing services that are public facing.

Agencies may seek an exemption from the Digital Access Standard due to a range of circumstances. These circumstances may include, but are not limited to:

• legacy technology barriers that cannot reasonably overcome 
• substantial financial burden caused by changing a service to meet criteria 

For services being considered for integration into myGov these circumstances may include, but are not limited to: 

• lack of user access to myGov, ineligibility for a myGov account or where it does not make sense for users to have a myGov account.
• legislative or regulatory barriers preventing the service from being delivered via myGov.
• circumstances where Services Australia has indicated that it is unable to onboard the service onto myGov.

Example: 

Agency X is replacing an existing digital platform where tourists can apply for tax refunds for some goods bought in Australia that are then taken out of the country with the traveller on a plane or ship. Agency X understands that the new Digital Access Standard is applicable to new and replacement services suitable for myGov from 1 January 2025.The Agency applies the decision-making framework under criterion 4 of the Digital Access Standard. The target users of the replacement service are tourists visiting Australia on a temporary basis, even though the service targets individuals, myGov is not considered the best place to locate access to the service. 

Agency X applies for an exemption under criterion 4 of the Digital Access Standard. In their request, Agency X provides information and evidence to build a case that their system is unsuitable to be onboarded onto myGov. After reviewing the exemption request and accompanying information and evidence, the DTA grants an exemption from the relevant Digital Access Standard criteria.  
 

Under the Digital Experience Policy, the Digital Inclusion Standard is mandatory and applies to digital services that are:

• owned by non-corporate Commonwealth entities
• informational and transactional 
• new or existing public facing (from 1 January 2025)
• new staff facing (from 1 January 2026).

Agencies may seek an exemption from the Digital Inclusion Standard due to a range of circumstances.

These circumstances may include, but are not limited to: 

• legacy technology barriers that cannot reasonably overcome
• substantial financial burden caused by changing a service to meet criteria.

Example:

Agency X operates an informational website about their suite of services available to the public. Agency X understands that the new Digital Inclusion Standard is applicable to for existing services from 1 January 2026.  The agency does not believe they will meet the deadline for compliance, without significant investment and risk to other priority programs. 

Agency X applies for an exemption from the requirements and requests an additional 6 months to allow the agency to complete some minor system upgrades and meet the Digital Inclusion Standard’s criteria. Agency X provides the DTA with evidence of their system upgrades and their expected completion dates. 

After reviewing the exemption request and accompanying information and evidence, the DTA grants an exemption from relevant Digital Inclusion Standard criteria for a period of 6 months. In their response, the DTA highlights that Agency X has been granted a limited exemption noting that once their system upgrades have been completed, they would then need to reconsider and apply the Digital Inclusion Standard requirements or seek a separate exemption from the Digital Inclusion Standard criteria. 

Under the Digital Experience Policy, the Digital Service Standard is mandatory and applies to digital services that are: 

• owned by non-corporate Commonwealth entities
• informational and transactional 
• new public or staff facing (from 1 July 2024)
• existing public facing (from 1 July 2025).

Agencies may seek an exemption from the Digital Service Standard due to a range of circumstances. 

These circumstances may include, but are not limited to: 

• legacy technology barriers that cannot reasonably overcome 
• substantial financial burden caused by changing a service to meet criteria.

Example: 

Agency X owns and operates an existing digital grants system using technology that doesn’t support easy interoperability with other systems. Agency X understands that the new Digital Service Standard is applicable to existing services from 1 July 2025. They assess their system and believe they can meet all criteria of the Digital Service Standard except criterion 4, without significant investment due to the technology barriers.

Agency X applies for an exemption from criterion 4 of the Digital Service Standard. In their request, Agency X provides information and evidence to demonstrate how their system is unable to meet criterion 4. 

After reviewing the exemption request and accompanying information and evidence, the DTA grants an exemption from criterion 4. In their response, the DTA highlights that any enhancements or changes made to the system in the future would need to be reconsidered and to apply the Digital Service Standard requirements or seek a separate exemption from the Digital Service Standard criteria.