CIPT (Certified Information Privacy Technologist) Practice

What is the purpose of a data subject access request (DSAR)?

1. A request made by organizations to verify user data

2. A request made by individuals to access their personal data held by an organization

3. A requirement for companies to disclose their data sharing policies

4. A measure to prevent data theft

The correct answer is: A request made by individuals to access their personal data held by an organization

A data subject access request (DSAR) serves the specific purpose of allowing individuals to obtain information about their personal data that is held by an organization. This request empowers individuals by giving them the right to know what data is being processed about them, how it is being used, and who it may have been shared with. Under data protection regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), individuals are entitled to access their data, correct inaccuracies, and, in some cases, request the deletion of certain data. This right is fundamental to privacy rights, facilitating greater transparency and control for individuals regarding their personal information. The other options, while related to data privacy, do not accurately reflect the primary intent of a DSAR. Organizations verifying user data or disclosing their data-sharing policies may involve similar procedural steps, but such actions do not directly stem from individual requests to access personal data. Similarly, measures to prevent data theft deal more with security practices than the rights of individuals to access their information. Thus, option B clearly aligns with the essence of a DSAR and the rights it affords under privacy regulations.