Data Filtering (_filter)
Data Filtering allows API consumers to select specific properties they want to receive, supporting data minimalization principles and optimizing response sizes.
Overview
The _filter parameter enables:
- Selection of specific properties
- Nested property filtering
- Exclusion of sensitive data
- Response optimization
- GDPR compliance support
Filter Types
Property Selection
- Individual fields
- Multiple properties
- Required fields
- Optional fields
Nested Properties
- Dot notation support
- Deep property access
- Relationship traversal
- Conditional inclusion
Special Filters
- System properties
- Metadata fields
- Computed properties
- Virtual attributes
Key Benefits
Data Minimalization
- Request only needed data
- Reduce sensitive data exposure
- Support GDPR compliance
- Optimize response size
Performance
- Reduce bandwidth usage
- Faster responses
- Efficient processing
- Reduced server load
Privacy
- Control data exposure
- Implement need-to-know
- Support data protection
- Audit data access
Privacy & Compliance
- Supports GDPR data minimalization
- Helps implement need-to-know principle
- Reduces unnecessary data exposure
- Provides audit trail integration
- Enforces data access policies
Best Practices
Field Selection
- Choose fields deliberately
- Consider data sensitivity
- Think about use cases
- Plan for scalability
Performance
- Limit nested filters
- Consider caching
- Monitor response times
- Optimize common patterns
Security
- Review filtered data
- Check access rights
- Log usage patterns
- Monitor for abuse
Related Features
- Access Control - Security for filtered data
- Audit Trails - Track data access patterns