How do you handle requests from data subjects to access or delete their phone number data?

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Handling requests from data subjects—individuals whose personal data is processed—is a critical part of compliance with data protection laws such as Bangladesh’s Data Protection Act 2023. Phone numbers are personal data, and individuals have the right to access their stored data and request its deletion under certain circumstances. Managing these requests efficiently, transparently, and securely helps build trust and ensures legal compliance.

1. Establishing Clear Channels for Requests
The first step in handling access or deletion requests is to provide clear, accessible channels through which data subjects can submit their requests:

Multiple Contact Points: Requests can be submitted via email, web forms, customer support hotlines, or postal mail.

Identification Verification: To protect data privacy, requesters buy telemarketing data must be properly identified before processing requests. This prevents unauthorized access or deletion by imposters.

Organizations typically designate a Data Protection Officer (DPO) or a specific privacy team to manage these interactions.

2. Access Requests (Data Subject Access Requests - DSARs)
When a data subject requests access to their phone number data, the organization follows these steps:

Acknowledgment: Promptly acknowledge receipt of the request, often within a specified timeframe (e.g., within 7 days).

Verification: Confirm the identity of the requester to prevent data leaks.

Data Retrieval: Locate all records containing the phone number or related data across systems.

Providing Information: Supply a clear, understandable copy of the personal data held, including:

The phone number itself.

Context of collection (e.g., telemarketing, customer service).

How the data is used, processed, and shared.

Data retention period and the data subject’s rights.

Delivery Format: Provide the data in a commonly used electronic format (such as PDF or CSV) or paper if requested.

Timeframe: Fulfill the request within the legally mandated period, usually 30 days from verification.

3. Deletion Requests (“Right to Erasure” or “Right to be Forgotten”)
When a data subject requests deletion of their phone number data, the organization assesses the request according to legal and operational criteria:

Verification: Confirm the identity of the requester.

Assess Validity: Evaluate if the deletion request is valid under law. For example, deletion is typically allowed if:

The data is no longer necessary for the original purpose.

Consent has been withdrawn and there is no other lawful basis to retain the data.

The individual objects to processing and there are no overriding legitimate grounds.

The data was unlawfully processed.

Exemptions: Some data may be retained if required by law (e.g., for audit, compliance, or dispute resolution).

Deletion Process:

Erase the phone number data from all active databases.

Delete backups or archives within a reasonable timeframe.

Confirm deletion to the requester.

Timeframe: Complete the deletion within the required period, often 30 days.