How Much Data Should Companies Be Required to Keep? 

How much Data should companies be required to keep?  The SOX Act has been seen as government over reaching and costly government intrusion.  After reading the on SOX more it seems to be needed to keep companies in line and held responsible.  If a company is being investigated they will need to be able to pull up old emails, the companies have to be able hold large amounts of data.  Deleting records can free up data from the servers, but can lead to misleading to investigator handling the case.

The SOX act does help the new businesses grow under JOBS act which came into place wake of the 2008 financial crisis, but only if the companies revenue under one billion dollars.  To be in compliance under this Acts, company must be able to have large amounts of data that can support their history.  If the companies where to be audited, a history the company dealings can be proved by the stored data.  I do believe companies should be required to hold large amounts of data and it would help them to be in compliance and be able to apply for government funding.  Even though it does seem the government is overreaching into private company business.  Some order is needed and hold the business in compliance.