India's Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act marks a new chapter in digital data governance — bringing organizations that collect and process user data under a clear legal framework for the first time.
Written by Akash Dhade, Associate Manager – Regulatory Services
The Gap That DPDP Fills
Indian users previously had almost no legal protection if their data was misused by apps, e-commerce platforms, fintech services, or social media companies. Organizations processing such data were following international standards like ISO 27001 and GDPR — but these weren’t addressing India-specific needs. Recognizing this gap, the Government of India enacted the DPDP Act to protect citizens’ privacy rights.
What DPDP Defines
The DPDP Act defines the roles, responsibilities, and rights of both organizations and individuals in data processing. It requires data-processing organizations to build DPDP-compliant systems that actively account for user rights — not treat them as an afterthought.
Your Rights as a Data Principal
Under DPDP, individuals — referred to as data principals — now hold meaningful rights:
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Right to Access – You can ask any organization what personal data they hold about you.
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Right to Correction – You can request inaccurate data be corrected.
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Right to Erasure – You can request deletion of your data.
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Right to Portability – You can request your data in a transferable format.
For example, a user can ask Google or Facebook exactly what personal data they hold. The data fiduciary (the organization collecting data) must now be transparent upfront — disclosing the intent of data collection, how long it will be retained, and who has access to it.
Consent Is No Longer a Checkbox
Data processing can happen only if the user provides explicit consent. This changes things significantly: your location data collected for delivery optimization, for instance, cannot be used for targeted advertising. A data fiduciary would need separate, additional consent before running a targeted ad campaign.
Who Ensures Compliance?
Based on the extent of their data processing, every organization must designate a person responsible for DPDP compliance. This individual ensures that data processing follows the rules, that data principals’ rights are protected when exercised, and that any concerns are addressed promptly.
Penalties and Accountability
DPDP violations are reportable, and data fiduciaries are responsible for addressing concerns raised by data principals. Penalties for non-compliance can reach up to ₹250 crore, depending on the severity of the violation.
A Reset, Not Just a Regulation
Data fiduciaries must respect the privacy choices made by data principals and remain transparent about consent, privacy policies, and processing practices. The DPDP Act isn’t just another compliance requirement — it’s a fundamental reset of how Indian companies relate to user data: from extraction to respect.
Whether you’re a user claiming your rights or a business building compliant systems, the time to act is now.
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