# Function Creep **Domain:** Deep Time / Data Protection / Institutional Change **Doc Type:** Canonical Wiki Entry **Maturity:** Developed **Evidence / Concept Status:** Established privacy-regulation concept ## Definition **Function Creep** is expansion of a system, dataset, identifier, or control mechanism beyond its stated original purpose. ## Why It Matters for Deep Time Continuity It is a direct warning that today's narrow continuity-adjacent systems can become tomorrow's identity or custody infrastructure. ## Existing Architecture / Evidence The UK ICO's purpose-limitation guidance explicitly says specifying purposes helps avoid function creep. ## Deep-Time Continuity Analysis Deep-time analysis applies the same vigilance to removal, identity, biometric, model, and registry systems. ## Evidentiary Boundary Function creep can be benign, harmful, or contested; motive must be established separately. ## Related Ontology [[wiki/Institutional Conversion|Institutional Conversion]] · [[wiki/Purpose Limitation|Purpose Limitation]] · [[wiki/Deep-Time Institutional Conversion|Deep-Time Institutional Conversion]] ## Sources / Primary Anchors - https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/data-protection-principles/a-guide-to-the-data-protection-principles/purpose-limitation <!-- BEGIN DEEP TIME CONTINUITY ROUTING --> ## Canonical Branch [[wiki/Deep Time Continuity|Deep Time Continuity]] <!-- END DEEP TIME CONTINUITY ROUTING -->