The purpose of declassification is to:

Declassification serves the important function of removing the need for protection of specific information, which is essential in the context of governance and public access to information. When certain information is determined to no longer require protection due to its age, content, or relevance, it can be made available to the public. This practice promotes accountability and transparency, allowing citizens to have access to information that may affect them or relate to government operations.

In essence, declassification indicates that the information is no longer deemed sensitive enough to warrant security measures, thus facilitating greater access to knowledge that can enhance informed public discourse. This not only aids in demystifying government activities but also reinforces democratic principles by allowing public scrutiny.

While increasing transparency is often an outcome of declassification, it is not the primary purpose, which specifically focuses on the removal of protective requirements for particular documents or information. Similarly, upgrading security measures and limiting access are more aligned with classification processes than with declassification.