Is your data finally yours?- The Week
Is your data finally yours?- The Week
Publish Date: 2026-02-20 04:18:00
Source Domain: www.theweek.in
For nearly a decade, the right to privacy has primarily relied upon the Puttaswamy v. Union of India verdict by the Supreme Court in 2017. But as we step into 2026, it has shifted from the courtroom to smartphones. With the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, now fully operationalized, the rules of the game for Big Tech, the government, and 900 million Indian internet users have been rewritten.
We are currently in the “Grace Period”—an 18-month window that began in late 2025. While companies have until May 2027 for total systemic compliance, the “digital-first” enforcement era has officially begun.
Remember the days when we had to click “accept” on a fifty-page document just to use a basic flashlight app? Those days are now numbered. According to new DPDP rules, companies are mandated to provide a standalone notice that is clear and itemized. These notices must also be available in all 22 scheduled languages mentioned in the Indian Constitution.
The Consent Manager
2026 sees the rise of a new entity—the Consent Manager. Registered with the newly formed Data Protection Board, these platforms will act as your “privacy dashboard,” allowing you to see, manage, and withdraw consent across multiple apps in one place.
The Right to be Forgotten
The DPDP framework introduces a “business inactivity” threshold. According to this, if you do not interact with a service for more than 3 years, then the company is generally required to erase your data, thereby avoiding permanent “digital ghosting.”
Protection for children
The rules for children (under 18) are among the strictest globally. Apps must now use “verifiable” methods—potentially linked to Digital Lockers or tokenized ID systems—to ensure a parent has actually approved a child’s data use. Additionally, targeted advertising and behavioral tracking of children are strictly prohibited under DPDP Rules 2025. For a generation that grew up “online,” this creates a protected space to develop without…
