UK's New DSAR Rules: A Business Guide to the Data Act 2025 

The UK's data privacy landscape has evolved. The new Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 introduces key changes. These updates directly impact how your business must manage Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs). For companies, understanding these new rules is vital for compliance. Moreover, it is an opportunity to streamline your data governance. This guide breaks down what your business needs to know now.

Key Changes to UK DSAR Rules

The new Act brings three significant updates to the DSAR process. These changes offer more clarity for organisations.

First, the grounds for refusing a request have changed. The old term "manifestly unfounded or excessive" has been replaced with "vexatious or excessive." This provides a stronger legal footing. You can now refuse requests designed to cause disruption. This helps you challenge illegitimate or malicious DSARs effectively.

Furthermore, the law now codifies a "reasonable and proportionate" search standard. This means organisations will not be required to perform exhaustive searches. If a request is overly broad, your search effort can be proportional. This is a crucial update for managing resources.

Finally, a "stop the clock" mechanism is now available. You can pause the one-month response time. This applies when you need to ask the individual for clarification. It gives your team vital time to manage complex requests accurately.

Your Action Plan for DSAR Compliance

These new regulations demand immediate action. Businesses should take practical steps to ensure they are prepared.

You must update your internal DSAR policies. Your procedures need to reflect the new terminology. It is also essential to train your staff. Your team must understand the new rules for handling requests. This includes identifying a vexatious request.

Crucially, document every decision. If you refuse a DSAR, you must prove why. A clear audit trail is your best defence. This documentation will be vital for the UK's new regulator, the Information Commission.

Leverage Technology for Efficient Compliance

Managing these changes manually can be a major challenge. It increases administrative overhead and compliance risks. Many organisations are now turning to technology.

Platforms like Formiti Privacy360 automate the entire DSAR lifecycle. They help manage request intake and verification. Additionally, they can automate data discovery and redaction. This technology provides a complete audit trail for every request. As a result, you can reduce costs while ensuring robust compliance.

Looking ahead, these DSAR rule changes are a catalyst for improvement. By updating your policies and embracing automation, your business can navigate this new landscape with confidence. Prepare now to turn these new obligations into a strategic advantage.