Data Privacy, Privacy

Why Your Privacy Program Will Fail Without a DSAR Strategy (And How to Fix It)

May 30, 2025

How a proactive approach to Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) can make or break your data privacy compliance.

Most companies today know they need a privacy program. But few realize that without a clear, scalable strategy for handling Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs), their entire privacy initiative is at risk of failure.

Under U.S. privacy laws such as the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA), and the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), consumers have the right to request access to, correct, delete, or opt out of the sale of their personal data. That means your business must not only understand what a DSAR is, but also be fully prepared to respond to one—fast.

If your company can’t do that? You’re exposed to fines, legal action, and significant reputational damage.

Let’s break down why DSARs matter, why companies often get them wrong, and how you can build a program that actually works.

What Is a DSAR, and Why Does It Matter?

A Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) is a formal request made by a consumer (or employee) to gain access to their personal information held by your company. It’s one of the core rights protected under various privacy laws.

Common types of DSARs include requests to:

Access personal data
Delete personal data
Correct inaccurate data
Opt out of data sales or targeted advertising
Obtain a copy of their data in a portable format

Why it matters:
Failing to respond within the legally required timeframes (usually 45 days or less) can result in regulatory penalties and lawsuits—especially if your response is incomplete or inconsistent.

Common Reasons DSAR Programs Fail

Even well-intentioned companies fall short. Here’s why:

1. No DSAR Process or Owner

Many companies lack a designated team or workflow for responding to the DSARs. When a request comes in, no one knows who’s responsible, which systems to check, or how to respond.

2. Siloed Data Systems

Without a centralized data inventory, it’s nearly impossible to know where personal data resides—leading to incomplete responses or missed deadlines.

3. Manual, Inconsistent Responses

Using email and spreadsheets to track the DSARs is error-prone, unscalable, and risky—especially as the volume of requests grows.

4. Lack of Verification Protocols

Improper identity verification increases the risk of data exposure to unauthorized individuals, violating privacy laws.

5. Neglecting Employee DSARs

Many companies forget that employees also have data rights under laws like the CPRA and the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).

How Curated Privacy LLC Can Help You Fix It

At Curated Privacy LLC, we specialize in helping U.S. companies build the DSAR response programs that are compliant, efficient, and legally defensible.

Here’s how we support your success:

DSAR Workflow Design: We create practical, scalable processes tailored to your business.
DSAR Tool Evaluation & Integration: Need automation? We help you choose and configure the right software solution.
Training & Templates: Your staff will be equipped with custom response templates and verification procedures to minimize risk.
Compliance Monitoring: We help you stay current with evolving the DSAR laws in states like California, Colorado, Texas, and beyond.
Free DSAR Readiness Assessment: Not sure where to start? We offer a free consultation to evaluate your current risks.

Final Thoughts

Ignoring the DSAR requirements is no longer an option. A strong privacy program is built on the ability to honor consumer rights quickly and accurately. Companies that get the DSARs right don’t just avoid penalties—they gain trust, brand value, and a competitive edge in a privacy-first marketplace.

Ready to Strengthen Your DSAR Program?

Let Curated Privacy LLC help you get it right the first time.
We offer free consultations to assess your DSAR processes and build a strategy that works.