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Let’s be honest, handling a data subject access request (DSAR) today feels nothing like it did even a couple of years ago.
It’s no longer just a legal box to tick. It’s a real operational headache, with real business risks if you don’t get it right. And in 2025, it’s getting even trickier, tighter timelines, smarter requesters, stricter regulators, and way more systems to dig through to find someone’s personal data.
If you’re working in legal, you’re probably seeing this firsthand.
So, the way we handle a data subject access request is changing fast and here’s what you actually need to know to keep up, and avoid digging yourself into a hole.
Why is Data Subject Access Request Handling Harder Now?
Short answer: Data sprawl.
Long answer: Everyone’s using Slack, Teams, cloud drives, encrypted backups, random SaaS tools nobody even told IT about, and people expect you to pull their personal data from all of it, fast.
At the same time, data subject access request response time expectations are shrinking. Technically, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) still says 30 days, but honestly? In the real world, people expect a response way faster. Some U.S. states like California are even trying to push shorter timelines.
It’s not just about being legally compliant anymore. It’s about trust. If you mess up a DSAR, you’re not just risking a fine, you’re risking reputation with your clients, customers, even employees.
Here’s What’s Actually Changing in DSAR Handling
1. Automation is Standard Now in DSAR: Everyone’s automating at least part of their DSAR process now, especially the big firms and vendors.
- Smart search across crazy amounts of data
- Auto-redaction of third-party info
- Built-in audit trails for regulators
- Some basic response drafting
But here’s the thing nobody tells you: automation doesn’t fix messy data.
If your systems are a disaster, full of duplicates, old junk, mislabeled files, automation just finds all that faster. And now you have more to clean up under a time crunch.
Moral of the story: yes, automate , but also fix your data hygiene.
2. Companies Are Preparing Before DSARs Even Hit: In 2025, instead of just reacting, the best teams are building data subject access request handling readiness into their day-to-day.
This looks like:
- Actually knowing where personal data lives across all systems (not guessing)
- Regular cleanup and deletion policies (so you have less junk to search later)
- Training teams to recognize when an email or form could be a DSAR trigger
If you’re waiting until you get a request to figure all this out, you’re already behind.
3. Identity Fraud in DSARs Is a Growing Problem: This one’s getting real.
People are trying to use DSARs to steal other people’s information. Especially in sensitive sectors like healthcare and insurance.
That’s why stronger identity checks, like MFA, selfie ID verifications, or even biometric checks for high-risk requests, are becoming the norm.
(And no, a simple email match isn’t good enough anymore.)
4. Tiered DSAR Models Are Replacing One-Size-Fits-All: Not every DSAR is created equal.
Some are simple (“Send me all emails mentioning my name”), and some are a legal nightmare (“Give me every piece of data connected to my job termination and discrimination lawsuit.”).
In 2025, smart teams are using tiered DSAR processing models, simple requests handled mostly by tech, complex ones flagged for deep human review.
It’s faster, it’s safer, and it just makes more sense.
5. AI is Helping (But Don’t Get Lazy): Yes, AI tools are helping with things like:
- Drafting initial DSAR responses
- Prioritizing documents by sensitivity
- Suggesting redactions
But let’s be clear: AI is a helper, not a decision-maker.
If you blindly trust AI to handle sensitive personal data without human review, you’re just setting yourself up for a compliance disaster.
Regulators are very clear: you still need meaningful human oversight.
Also read: How To Make Data Subject Access Request an Easy Process?
Biggest Headaches That Haven’t Gone Away
Even with all these upgrades, a few things are still a pain in 2025:
- Data everywhere (and half of it hidden in random apps nobody tracks)
- Privacy laws are constantly changing — not just GDPR, but CPRA, Quebec’s Law 25, Australia’s Privacy Act tweaks, etc.
- Costs stacking up — automation isn’t cheap upfront, and neither are the people you need to supervise it
Smart orgs are investing now because the fines for getting it wrong later are still way bigger.
Quick Reality Check: If You’re Still Handling DSARs Like It’s 2020…
You’re going to fall behind.
Clients expect faster, cleaner responses. Regulators expect tighter processes. Staff expect better tools so they’re not drowning in manual work.
If you’re a Chief Legal Officer, Litigation Support Manager, VP at an LPO, or running ops at a firm, 2025 is the year to upgrade your data subject access request strategy.
Not because it’s trendy. Because it’s necessary.
Wrapping It Up
Handling a data subject access request in 2025 isn’t about throwing more bodies at the problem.
It’s about:
- Smarter systems
- Faster workflows
- Proactive planning
- Knowing when humans need to step in
- Staying flexible as laws (inevitably) change again
If you get it right, DSARs go from “oh no, not again” to just another smooth privacy process that shows you’ve got your house in order.
If not? Well… regulators aren’t known for their patience.
Where Aeren LPO Fits In
If all this sounds overwhelming, it’s because it is.
Managing DSARs today takes more than just good intentions. It takes a serious process, smart tech, and people who live and breathe privacy compliance.
That’s exactly where Aeren LPO’s Data Subject Access Request Services come in.
We help law firms, corporate legal teams, and vendors across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia handle DSARs end-to-end.
Whether you’re facing a handful of requests or hundreds per month, we scale to your needs without cutting corners.
