India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Framework
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) recently held a significant consultation meeting focused on the Draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025. This meeting provided a platform for government officials, industry leaders, and legal experts to discuss and contribute to India’s evolving data protection framework. The deadline for public feedback on the draft rules is set for February 18, 2025. The meeting was chaired by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Hon’ble Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Railways, and Information & Broadcasting.
Industry Leaders and Policymakers Deliberate on Rules
The consultation session attracted over 200 participants, including key government officials from various ministries, industry leaders, and legal experts. Representatives from diverse sectors such as technology, consulting, banking, and finance were present. Notable organizations included DSCI, NPCI, PwC, Apple, Microsoft, Snapchat, Accenture, Zomato, Deloitte, KPMG, PhonePe, and OpenAI.
The primary goal of the meeting was to discuss the rules that will support the implementation of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Participants engaged in meaningful discussions about the implications of the draft rules and how they would affect various industries. The collaborative atmosphere encouraged open dialogue, allowing attendees to voice their concerns and suggestions. This engagement is crucial as it helps shape a regulatory framework that balances innovation with the need for robust data protection.
Trust-Based, Evolving Data Protection Framework
During the event, Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the government’s commitment to a simple and principle-based approach to data protection. He stated, “The objective that we had set for ourselves is to keep it simple, be principle-based rather than prescriptive, and let the law and rules evolve rather than casting everything in stone.” This trust-based approach aims to foster a collaborative environment between the government and the industry.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of understanding the full scope of the framework. He noted that to effectively safeguard personal data, it is essential to consider both the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and the Draft Rules, 2025, together. The session began with a presentation by Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Additional Secretary at MeitY, who outlined the key elements of the draft rules. This presentation set the stage for further discussions and feedback.
Striking a Balance Between Innovation and Regulation
Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, underscored the need for open discussions during the consultation. He encouraged participants to submit their feedback through the MyGov portal, allowing for anonymous contributions. This approach ensures a wide range of perspectives are considered. Krishnan stated, “We are here to listen and fine-tune any aspects that require further attention. Data protection is an issue that affects all of us, and it must be addressed inclusively and thoughtfully.”
The framework aims to strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring regulatory compliance. It seeks to create an environment where innovation can thrive while protecting citizens’ rights. Krishnan also mentioned that the digital infrastructure necessary for implementing the framework is currently being finalized. This infrastructure will be crucial for the successful rollout of the DPDP rules.
Comprehensive Feedback to Shape Final DPDP Rules
The consultation session invited feedback on various topics, including consent management, data principal rights, compliance frameworks, and cross-border data transfers. Participants discussed issues related to notices, consent, reasonable security safeguards, children’s data, and breach reporting. The insights gathered during this session will be instrumental in refining the final rules.
This consultation reflects the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors. It aims to ensure that India’s digital economy adapts seamlessly to global data protection standards. The contributions from industry leaders are expected to play a vital role in shaping the rules, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of the digital landscape while safeguarding the rights of data principals.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.