Indian is embracing a New Era of Data Privacy and Protection

As data continues to grow rapidly across hybrid cloud environments, it has become a crucial asset for both individuals and organizations. With increasing digitalization, user privacy is now closely connected to data management practices. Being aware of the risks, consumers have pushed governments to implement stricter data privacy and security regulations to protect personal information.

India is home to the second-largest population of internet users, has followed the global trend of stricter data privacy regulations. The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, implemented in 2023, places stringent obligations on organizations regarding how they collect, manage, and safeguard personal digital data. This landmark legislation aims to provide individuals with more control over their information and ensure that businesses establish comprehensive privacy and security frameworks.

As per the report of PWC, More than 50% of the consumers are not aware of their rights, including the right to give or withdraw consent regarding use of personal data. Nearly half of the consumers think that it is either inappropriate for employers to request for personal details or that the amount of information shared with employers should be limited.

Once the DPDP Act is fully enforced, Indian enterprises will be expected to maintain strong data protection practices, marking a significant shift towards prioritizing data privacy and security in the country. This Act highlights India's growing focus on safeguarding citizens' digital rights and enforcing accountability in how personal data is handled.

While some security companies are pushing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) products as the solution, these tools alone are not enough to meet the comprehensive needs of the DPDP Act. Businesses must implement holistic data privacy frameworks that include multiple components like Consent management, Data Subject Access request, Privacy Impact Assessment, Confidential Data Discovery, Confidential Data Redaction, Compliance Audit and Data Privacy management.

The law requires companies to go beyond security tools, fostering a culture of privacy and building strong governance systems to ensure compliance and protect personal data effectively. By bridging this gap, organizations can better safeguard personal data and mitigate potential legal and financial risks.