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The right to be forgotten is a right distinct from but related to a right to privacy
The right to privacy is, among other things, the right for information traditionally regarded as protected or personal not to be revealed
The right to be forgotten, in contrast, can be applied to information that has been in the public domain
The right to be forgotten broadly includes the right of an individual not to be forever defined by information from a specific point in time
One motivation for such a right is to allow individuals to move on with their lives and not be defined by a specific event or period in their lives
For example, it has long been recognized in some countries, such as the UK and France, that even past criminal convictions should eventually be "spent" and not continue to affect a person's life
Despite the reason for supporting the right to be forgotten, the right to be forgotten can sometimes come into conflict with other rights
For example, formal exceptions are sometimes made for security or public health reasons