Technology

Safer Internet Day: India's Data Protection Law Journey (2000-2027)

India's data protection law is the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, which received assent on 11 August 2023. Its Rules were notified on 13 November…

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IT ACT

India's first cyber law

The Information Technology Act came into force on 17 October 2000. It was built for e-commerce and cybercrime, not for privacy.

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43A + 72A

The first data duties

The 2008 amendments, in force from 27 October 2009, made companies pay for negligently losing sensitive data and punished wrongful disclosure.

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SPDI RULES

Sensitive data defined

They defined sensitive personal data such as passwords, health, financial and biometric data, and required privacy policies, consent and reasonable security.

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PUTTASWAMY

Privacy is a fundamental right

On 24 August 2017 a nine-judge bench held unanimously that privacy, including informational privacy, is protected by the Constitution.

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SRIKRISHNA

A draft law is written

The committee led by Justice B.N. Srikrishna reported on 27 July 2018 with a draft bill, rights for individuals and an independent regulator.

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PDP BILL

The bill goes to Parliament

Introduced on 11 December 2019, it went to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, which proposed 81 amendments in December 2021.

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WITHDRAWN

Back to the drawing board

The government withdrew the bill, promising a comprehensive new framework. A slimmer draft followed in November 2022.

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DPDP ACT

The law is passed

Parliament passed it within a week of introduction and the President signed it on 11 August 2023. It was not yet in force.

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RULES

The clock starts

On 13 November 2025, with a phased start over 18 months. The Board, definitions, penalties and an RTI change took effect at once.

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SAFER INTERNET DAY

Smart Tech, Safe Choices

MeitY's 10 February campaign focused on the safe and responsible use of AI across all 36 States and UTs.

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THE BOARD

An enforcer without members

It exists in law, but recruitment for its Chairperson and four Members was only advertised on 6 June 2026.

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TEXT FIX

First removal-of-difficulties order

An order corrected the wording of Sections 9 and 10 on children's and disabled persons' data and data audits.

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CONSENT

Consent Managers switch on

Registered Consent Managers can let people give, review and withdraw consent across services from one platform.

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MAIN PHASE

Rights and duties begin

Notice, consent, security safeguards, breach reporting, children's data rules and individuals' rights are scheduled for 13 May 2027.

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STAY SAFER

Habits that work now

Check app permissions, use unique passwords and two-factor login, never share OTPs, and report fraud on 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.

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