What repeated data requests can reveal

Comparing account downloads over time can reveal new records, format changes, or differences associated with retention. The comparison alone does not establish the cause of every change. Keep the export dates and documentation alongside the files, and distinguish changes to the archive format from changes to the underlying records.

I'd like an example showing how to compare two exports without assuming that every missing row was deleted from the service.

Would keeping a private note of the request date and format make later comparisons easier?