INDIA भारत · DIGITAL PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION

What does DPDPA
mean for me?

A framework for how organisations collect, use, store and manage digital personal data — and the rights individuals have over that information.

India data rights and cybersecurity infographic

Know Your Rights
as a Data Principal

Your personal data matters. Do you know the rights you have under India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), 2023?

This video explains the five Data Principal Rights, the responsibilities associated with exercising them, and how individuals can raise requests concerning their personal data with organizations.

Understanding these rights can help you make informed decisions about your personal information and take an active role in protecting it.

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OVERVIEW

Protecting personal data
in everyday digital life.

Every day, we share personal information when using websites, mobile apps, online shopping platforms, banking services, educational portals, and other digital services. This information helps organizations deliver services, but it also needs to be handled responsibly.

Mera Data, Mera Niyantran, Mera Samman
— My Data, My Control, My Respect

India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) establishes a framework for protecting digital personal data and defining how organizations should collect, use, store, and manage it.

The DPDP Act, together with the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, sets out responsibilities for organizations and rights for individuals. The framework aims to encourage transparent data practices, responsible use of personal information, and greater trust between individuals and organizations.

Why does DPDPA matter?

For individuals

It provides rights and ways to seek information about their personal data, request corrections or erasure where applicable, and raise grievances.

For organizations

It establishes responsibilities for handling personal data, communicating clearly about its use, maintaining appropriate safeguards, and responding to individuals' requests.

For the digital ecosystem

It encourages organizations to treat personal data responsibly and build trust in digital services.

DPDPA is not only about meeting regulatory requirements. It is also about creating a digital environment where personal information is handled with care, transparency, and accountability.

BHARAT PRIVACY YATRA 2026

Bharat Privacy Yatra 2026
Mera Data, Mera Niyantran, Mera Samman

Taking privacy awareness across India

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A nationwide privacy-awareness initiative led by Ardent Privacy — from Pune to Mumbai — to make DPDPA and responsible data use more accessible.

DATA PRINCIPALS

What does DPDPA
mean for me?

Have you ever wondered why an app asks for your phone number, how a company uses your email address, or what happens to your personal information after you stop using a service?

DPDPA helps you understand your role in protecting your personal data and gives you specific rights when organizations process your digital personal information.

Under the framework, you are known as a Data Principal when the personal data relates to you.

Your personal data may include your name, phone number, email address, identification details, or other information that can identify you.

What should you know as a Data Principal?

Your personal data matters. Understanding your rights is the first step towards taking greater control of how it is handled.

DATA FIDUCIARIES

DPDPA for organizations:
What does your business need to know?

Organizations collect and process personal data every day, whether through customer registrations, employee records, websites, mobile applications, marketing campaigns, or business operations.

Under the DPDP framework, an organization that determines the purpose and means of processing personal data is generally known as a Data Fiduciary.

If your organization collects or uses digital personal data, understanding DPDPA is an important step towards establishing responsible data practices and preparing for applicable compliance requirements.

What should organizations focus on?

  1. 1. Understand what personal data you collectIdentify the personal data your organization collects, where it is stored, how it flows across systems, and which teams or service providers can access it.
  2. 2. Be clear about the purpose of data collectionExplain why personal data is being collected and how it will be used. Provide clear, accessible notices and obtain valid consent where required, subject to applicable provisions and exceptions.
  3. 3. Establish consent management processesWhere consent is the basis for processing, establish appropriate processes to record consent, manage changes, and act on withdrawal requests.
  4. 4. Protect personal dataImplement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect personal data against unauthorized access, disclosure, loss, and other security risks.
  5. 5. Enable Data Principal rightsEstablish accessible processes for handling requests relating to personal data, including correction, updating, erasure where applicable, and grievance redressal.
  6. 6. Prepare for personal data breachesDevelop procedures to identify, assess, manage, and respond to personal data breaches, including applicable notification requirements.
  7. 7. Review third-party data processingUnderstand how vendors, service providers, and other partners process personal data on your organization's behalf, and establish appropriate contractual and operational controls.
  8. 8. Build ongoing privacy governanceAssign responsibilities, maintain relevant records, review privacy practices periodically, and establish processes to monitor compliance as requirements evolve.

Why should organizations take action?

A structured approach to DPDPA can help organizations improve visibility into personal data, strengthen internal processes, respond to individuals more effectively, and build trust with customers, employees, and business partners.

Start by understanding your data. Build the processes needed to manage it responsibly.

YOUR RIGHTS

How does DPDPA help
protect your personal data?

Your personal information is part of your everyday digital life. From opening a bank account to ordering products online, you regularly share information with organizations.

DPDPA establishes a framework that helps you understand how your personal data should be handled and what you can do when you want information, a correction, or assistance from an organization.

Understand your rights as a Data Principal

Know more about your personal data

You can request information about your personal data being processed and certain details about how it is handled, subject to applicable conditions.

Request corrections or updates

If your personal information is inaccurate or incomplete, you can request correction, completion, or updating, as applicable.

Request erasure where applicable

You can request erasure of personal data where the framework provides for it. An organization may need to retain certain information where required by law or otherwise permitted under applicable provisions.

Withdraw consent where applicable

When your personal data is processed based on consent, you can withdraw that consent. The organization must handle the withdrawal in accordance with applicable requirements.

Raise a grievance

If you have a concern about the handling of your personal data or the exercise of your rights, you can use the organization's grievance redressal mechanism and follow the applicable escalation process.

Nominate another individual

The framework provides for nominating another individual to exercise your rights in the event of your death or incapacity, in accordance with applicable requirements.

How can you exercise your rights?

  1. Identify the organization that holds or processes your personal data.
  2. Visit its website or app and look for its privacy notice, designated contact, or grievance redressal information.
  3. Submit your request through the specified channel and provide the information needed to verify your identity.
  4. Keep a copy of your request and any acknowledgement or response.
  5. If your concern remains unresolved, review the applicable grievance escalation process.

Remember: Your rights are supported by defined processes and applicable conditions. Understanding how to use those processes can help you take a more active role in protecting your personal information.