Data subject rights: Protecting personal data under GDPR
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) grants every data subject (individual) eight fundamental rights to protect their personal data and privacy. Organizations processing personal data—whether from employees, customers, or business activities—must be prepared to respond to data subject requests (DSARs) promptly and in compliance with GDPR.
These rights ensure transparency, accountability, and control over personal data, allowing individuals to manage how their information is collected, stored, and used.
What are the eight data subject rights under GDPR?
The GDPR establishes the following eight rights for data subjects:
- Right to be informed – Individuals must be told how and why their data is being processed.
- Right of access – Data subjects can request a copy of their personal data.
- Right to rectification – Inaccurate or incomplete personal data must be corrected.
- Right to erasure (right to be forgotten) – Individuals can request the deletion of their data under certain conditions.
- Right to restrict processing – Data subjects can limit how their data is used.
- Right to data portability – Personal data must be transferable to another service provider.
- Right to object – Individuals can object to data processing, especially for marketing purposes.
- Rights related to automated decision-making and profiling – Data subjects can demand human intervention in automated decisions affecting them.
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How organizations must handle data subject requests
To comply with GDPR, organizations must respond to data subject requests in a structured and secure manner.
1. Verify and process requests within GDPR timelines
- Authenticate the identity of the requester before processing.
- Respond within one month, as required by Article 12 of GDPR.
- Provide data in a structured, commonly used format when applicable.
2. Maintain secure and transparent data handling practices
- Inform individuals about how their data is collected and used.
- Keep detailed records of requests and responses.
- Use encryption and access controls to protect personal data.
3. Ensure compliance with data subject rights obligations
- Regularly update privacy policies and user agreements.
- Conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for high-risk processing.
- Train employees on handling data subject rights requests properly.
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Why data subject rights matter for GDPR compliance
Respecting data subject rights helps organizations:
- Avoid GDPR fines by meeting legal requirements.
- Strengthen customer trust through transparent data handling.
- Enhance data security by implementing privacy-first policies.
- Streamline compliance efforts by managing requests efficiently.
By prioritizing data subject rights, businesses can ensure long-term compliance, better data protection, and increased customer confidence.
