The number of data subject access requests (DSARs) UK companies will receive from clients and suppliers is set to considerably increase in 2021 according to The DPO Centre.
The latest Data Protection Index revealed there has already been a 66% increase in the average number of DSARs received since July 2020.
A separate consumer study by The DPO Centre revealed that six million UK adults2 have considered submitting a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) after feeling that a company had mishandled their personal data. Those aged between 18 years old and 34 years old are most likely to have considered submitting a DSAR (20%) compared to those aged 35-54 (14%) and 55+ (4%).
The two studies combined indicate that companies can expect to see a big increase in data subject access requests (DSARs) in 2021.
Rob Masson, CEO, The DPO Centre “We are seeing a significant rise in the number of data subject access requests (DSARs) coming through and companies should expect DSAR requests to increase as one of the fallouts from the pandemic. Responding to a DSAR is a costly and lengthy process so companies need to have the right procedures in place to minimise disruption.”
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1 The UK Data Protection Index (organised by The DPO Centre and Data Protection World Forum) is published quarterly and offers a unique picture of the Data Protection Officer profession and its evolving views over time. If you would like to join the panel please visit www.thedpindex.com.
2 Research conducted by Opinium Research, 13-17 November 2020 based on a Nationally representative weighted sample among 2,000 adults in the UK. 11% (229/2000) of the 52,673,000 million of UK adult population = 6,031,059