Abstract
We investigate the relationship between reputation, privacy and limited records. Limited records have been demonstrated capable of supporting efficient reputation incentives in a large class of games, where these would otherwise dissipate with time. Further, limited records are compatible with privacy concerns. In particular, they conform to the principle of data retention, which mandates the removal of personal data from public registers after a finite number of years. It is the opportunity of coupling efficient reputation incentives and privacy needs that makes limited records attractive, and motivates our survey. We find that little is known about the design and implementation of limited records, and that what is known is scattered. Given the links between this informational arrangement and valuable goals such as efficiency and privacy, the state of the art appears to us highly unsatisfactory. We conclude that a general model of limited records is greatly needed.