Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA)
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) is India’s comprehensive data protection law that governs how organizations collect, process, and protect personal data of individuals within India.
What is the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA)?
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), enacted in 2023, establishes a legal framework for safeguarding digital personal data in India. It applies to both Indian organizations and foreign entities that process the personal data of individuals in India when offering goods or services.
The DPDPA defines key roles such as the Data Fiduciary, Data Processor, and Data Principal (individual), setting obligations for lawful processing, consent management, and security safeguards.
The law emphasizes purpose limitation, transparency, and accountability, aligning with global privacy frameworks like the GDPR and CPRA.
Why the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) matters
The DPDPA marks a major step toward strengthening India’s data protection regime and aligning with international privacy standards. It enhances individuals’ rights to consent, correction, and grievance redressal, while imposing compliance obligations on organizations handling personal data.
The law introduces a Data Protection Board to oversee enforcement and penalties for noncompliance, ensuring accountability and regulatory oversight.
For global businesses, the DPDPA signifies the growing importance of harmonizing data protection practices across regions to support responsible innovation and trust.
How the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) is used in practice
- Obtaining valid, informed consent before processing personal data
- Establishing mechanisms for individuals to access, correct, or erase their data
- Appointing a Data Protection Officer (DPO) for large-scale or sensitive data processing
- Implementing security safeguards and breach notification procedures
- Maintaining compliance documentation for audits and regulatory review
- Managing cross-border data transfers in accordance with government-approved conditions
Related laws & standards
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) – India
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)
- ISO/IEC 27701 (Privacy Information Management)
How OneTrust helps with Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) compliance
OneTrust enables organizations to comply with the DPDPA by automating consent management, privacy notices, and data subject rights fulfillment. The platform supports risk assessments, breach reporting, and policy governance to help organizations meet India’s privacy law obligations.
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FAQs about the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA)
The DPDPA applies to organizations operating in India or outside India that process the personal data of individuals located in India for offering goods or services.
Individuals, known as Data Principals, have rights to access, correction, erasure, and grievance redressal for their personal data processed by organizations.
While inspired by the GDPR, the DPDPA is tailored to India’s digital ecosystem, emphasizing consent, government oversight, and localization of enforcement through the Data Protection Board.
