Why Data Privacy Matters in a Digital Society
Data privacy has become a foundational pillar of responsible digital governance. It safeguards citizens’ personal information, strengthens trust in government-led digital services, and enables ethical and secure adoption of emerging technologies.
Robust data protection frameworks also play a preventive role by reducing cyber risks, mitigating data misuse, and improving accountability. As digital platforms expand in scale and complexity, privacy-by-design and institutional oversight are essential to ensure innovation remains aligned with public interest.
India’s Expanding Digital Footprint
India’s rapid digitalisation has transformed governance, service delivery, and citizen participation. Digital public platforms now operate at population scale, making data a critical public resource that underpins inclusion, efficiency, and innovation.
India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has emerged as the backbone of this transformation. Flagship initiatives such as Aadhaar have created a trusted digital identity framework, while UPI has revolutionised real-time financial transactions. Platforms enabling paperless governance have streamlined public services, reducing costs and improving accessibility.
Citizen-centric platforms such as MyGov, with over six crore users, have deepened participatory governance. In healthcare, eSanjeevani has enabled more than 44 crore digital consultations, significantly expanding access to medical services across urban and rural India.
Connectivity, Inclusion, and Emerging Risks
India’s digital reach is reinforced by over 101.7 crore broadband subscribers as of September 2025, with users spending an average of 1,000 minutes online each month. Affordable mobile data, priced at around $0.10 per GB, has made digital access nearly universal.
However, the scale that drives inclusion also amplifies privacy and cybersecurity risks. The exponential growth in digital interactions has increased the volume and sensitivity of personal data being processed, heightening exposure to cyber threats, fraud, and data breaches.
Recognising these risks, the Union Budget 2025–26 allocated ₹782 crore specifically for cybersecurity initiatives to protect India’s digital public infrastructure.
India’s Legal Framework for Data Protection
India has developed a comprehensive regulatory architecture to balance privacy protection with innovation. The Information Technology Act, 2000 remains the cornerstone of India’s cyber law framework, providing legal recognition to electronic records, digital signatures, and secure online transactions.
Under the IT Act, institutions such as CERT-In serve as the national incident response agency, while provisions relating to content regulation, cybersecurity, and adjudication ensure systemic resilience. Complementing this, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 mandate due diligence and grievance redressal mechanisms for digital intermediaries.
DPDP Act, 2023: Citizens at the Centre
The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 represents a landmark shift in India’s data governance framework. Enacted in August 2023, the Act governs the processing of personal data collected digitally or digitised from offline sources.
Built on a SARAL approach—Simple, Accessible, Rational, and Actionable—the law empowers individuals as Data Principals and establishes clear responsibilities for Data Fiduciaries. The Act balances individual privacy rights with lawful data use for governance, innovation, and economic growth.
A key institutional feature is the Data Protection Board of India, which oversees compliance, investigates data breaches, and ensures timely enforcement, reinforcing transparency and public trust.
Operationalising Privacy: DPDP Rules, 2025
Notified in November 2025, the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules operationalise the DPDP Act by defining procedures, timelines, and accountability mechanisms. Together, the Act and Rules create a citizen-centric regime that safeguards personal data while enabling responsible innovation.
Citizens are granted enforceable rights, including consent control, access to personal data, correction and erasure, breach notification, and special protections for children and persons with disabilities. Data Fiduciaries are required to respond to requests within ninety days, ensuring timely redressal.
Strengthening Cybersecurity and Institutional Capacity
Beyond legislation, the government has rolled out multiple initiatives to strengthen cybersecurity preparedness. Platforms such as the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and the 1930 helpline enable rapid reporting of cyber incidents and financial fraud.
Institutions like the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre support real-time interventions, while tools such as Sahyog and the Suspect Registry help disrupt fraud networks. Capacity-building programmes are also creating a skilled cybersecurity workforce equipped to address emerging threats.
Conclusion: Privacy as a Democratic Imperative
International Data Privacy Day serves as a timely reminder that trust is the cornerstone of India’s digital transformation. As digital public infrastructure continues to shape governance and daily life, protecting personal data is not just a technical necessity but a democratic imperative.
With strong laws, empowered institutions, and sustained investments in cybersecurity, India is steadily building a secure, inclusive, and future-ready digital ecosystem. The observance reinforces the shared responsibility of the State, digital platforms, and citizens to safeguard data and ensure that India’s digital journey remains ethical, resilient, and citizen centric.
