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Fact check: I believe that in California, we're required to retain applicant data for up to four years in the ATS

Checked on June 12, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the provided analyses, there is insufficient evidence to confirm or deny whether California requires retention of applicant data for four years in ATS systems. Both available sources indicate that they lack definitive information about specific duration requirements or legal mandates in California [1].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement lacks several important contextual elements that should be considered:

  • The distinction between federal and state retention requirements
  • Different types of applicant data that might have different retention periods
  • Whether the retention period varies based on company size or industry
  • Whether there are different requirements for successful vs. unsuccessful applicants

The analyses suggest that this is a more complex topic that requires additional research and verification from authoritative sources [1].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement presents potential issues:

  • It makes a definitive claim about a specific time period (four years) without providing supporting evidence
  • It oversimplifies what might be a more nuanced legal requirement
  • It doesn't acknowledge potential variations in requirements

Several stakeholders could benefit from specific interpretations of retention requirements:

  • ATS Software Providers: Longer retention requirements could mean more storage needs and higher costs for their services
  • Employers: Might prefer shorter retention periods to reduce storage costs and liability
  • Legal Services: Benefit from complexity in compliance requirements
  • Job Applicants: Benefit from longer retention periods for potential discrimination claims

Both analyses explicitly state that more research would be needed to verify the claim [1], suggesting that the original statement should be treated with caution until verified through official legal sources.

Want to dive deeper?
What are the federal requirements for retaining job applicant data in ATS systems?
How long must employers keep recruitment records under California employment law?
What are the penalties for not properly retaining applicant tracking system data in California?
Do California ATS data retention requirements differ for different company sizes?
What specific applicant information must be stored in ATS systems under California law?