Putting Interests of Digital Nagriks First: Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023 of India

The increasing application of artificial intelligence (AI) and the extensive collection, storage and analysis of personal data by service providers have heightened privacy concerns. To address unauthorised use and potential misuse of personal information, the Government of India introduced the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act on 11 August 2023 aimed at enhancing the living standards of its digital citizens, termed as ‘digital nagriks’ in this study. This research evaluates the DPDP Act’s impact on digital nagriks across six sections, starting with an introduction to the necessity of privacy legislation and an overview of global privacy laws from countries like Singapore, the European Union and China. It then explores the origin and fundamental aspects of the DPDP Act, leveraging the literature to critically analyse its implications for privacy. The study presents observations on the Act’s current state, recommends adjustments for balancing privacy with innovation and security and highlights the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms to protect digital nagriks effectively. It concludes that while the DPDP Act is a positive advancement, explicit exceptions in future regulations could further refine this balance.