International Data Privacy Day and India’s Data Protection Imperative

Context

1. International Data Privacy Day is observed annually on 28 January to commemorate the signing of Convention 108, the world’s first legally binding international treaty on data protection.
2. For India—now the world’s third-largest digitalised economy—protecting personal data has become a national priority as digital public infrastructure increasingly shapes governance, service delivery, and economic activity.

Q1. Why is International Data Privacy Day observed, and what is the significance of Convention 108 in the global data protection framework?

1. International Data Privacy Day is observed on 28 January to raise awareness about the protection of personal data.
2. It commemorates the adoption of Convention 108 by the Council of Europe in 1981.
3. Convention 108 was the world’s first legally binding international treaty on data protection.
4. It recognised privacy as a fundamental human right linked to dignity and autonomy.
5. The treaty laid down principles of lawful, fair, and purpose-limited data processing.
6. It enabled cross-border cooperation on data protection among countries.
7. Convention 108 influenced later frameworks such as the EU’s GDPR.
8. Its principles continue to guide global digital governance norms.

Q2. Why has data privacy emerged as a critical democratic and economic issue in the digital age?

1. Digital platforms now mediate governance, commerce, and social interaction.
2. Personal data has become a valuable economic asset in the digital economy.
3. Misuse of data can lead to surveillance, profiling, and discrimination.
4. Weak privacy protection erodes citizen trust in digital systems.
5. Data breaches threaten financial security and personal freedom.
6. Democratic processes can be manipulated through misuse of data.
7. Strong privacy laws encourage innovation and investor confidence.
8. Therefore, data protection is both a democratic and economic necessity.

Q3. How does India’s expanding digital footprint increase the urgency of strong data protection measures?

1. India is the world’s third-largest digitalised economy.
2. Aadhaar has created one of the world’s largest biometric databases.
3. UPI processes massive volumes of digital financial transactions
4. DigiLocker stores sensitive personal and official documents.
5. Broadband connectivity has expanded deep into rural India.
6. Large-scale digitisation increases exposure to cyber risks.
7. Trust is essential for sustained use of digital public infrastructure.
8. Strong data protection safeguards India’s digital transformation.

Q4. What role does the Information Technology Act, 2000 play in India’s data protection and cybersecurity framework?

1. The IT Act, 2000 provides the legal foundation for India’s digital ecosystem.
2. It recognises electronic records and digital signatures.
3. The Act criminalises unauthorised access and data theft.
4. It empowers the government to address cyber threats.
5. CERT-In operates under the Act for cyber incident response.
6. The Act supports e-governance and digital commerce.
7. However, it lacks a comprehensive data protection framework.
8. This limitation led to the enactment of the DPDP Act.

Q5. What are the key features and objectives of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023?

1. The DPDP Act governs the processing of personal data in digital form.
2. It applies to data collected digitally or digitised from offline sources.
3. The Act establishes the Data Protection Board of India.
4. Consent-based processing is its core principle.
5. It defines rights and duties of data principals and fiduciaries.
6. The law follows the SARAL approach for ease of compliance.
7. Penalties ensure accountability for data misuse.
8. The Act marks a shift to rights-based data governance.

Q6. How do the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 operationalise the DPDP Act, 2023?

1. The rules provide procedural clarity for implementing the DPDP Act.
2. They specify consent management and notice requirements.
3. Obligations of data fiduciaries are clearly defined.
4. Grievance redressal mechanisms are strengthened.
5. Data breach reporting timelines are laid down.
6. The functioning of the Data Protection Board is clarified.
7. Compliance processes are standardised across sectors.
8. The rules make the law effective in practice.

Q7. What are the major challenges India faces in ensuring effective data privacy and protection?

1. Rapid digital expansion often outpaces regulatory capacity.
2. Low digital literacy increases vulnerability to data misuse.
3. Small businesses face compliance challenges.
4. Cyber threats are growing in scale and sophistication.
5. Cross-border data flows complicate enforcement.
6. Balancing innovation with regulation remains difficult.
7. Regulatory institutions need continuous capacity building.
8. Public awareness of data rights is uneven.

Q8. Why is data protection increasingly viewed as a democratic imperative rather than a purely technical issue?

1. Personal data is closely linked to individual dignity and autonomy.
2. Unchecked data misuse can enable mass surveillance.
3. Privacy violations weaken democratic participation.
4. Trust in digital governance depends on data security.
5. Data protection safeguards freedom of expression.
6. Democratic accountability requires transparent data use.
7. Strong privacy laws empower citizens against misuse of power.
8. Hence, data protection is central to democracy.

Q9. How does International Data Privacy Day remain relevant for India’s future digital governance?

1. It reinforces global norms on privacy and data protection.
2. It highlights the need for citizen-centric digital governance.
3. It aligns India with international best practices.
4. It promotes trust in digital public infrastructure.
5. It encourages continuous legal reform.
6. It supports India’s ambition to be a global digital leader.
7. It links technology with constitutional values.
8. It reminds policymakers to prioritise rights in digital growth.

Conclusion

International Data Privacy Day underlines that protecting personal data is a democratic responsibility, not just a technical requirement. As India’s digital public infrastructure expands rapidly, strong data protection laws are essential to ensure trust, inclusion, and sustainable growth.

With the DPDP Act, operational rules, and rising cybersecurity investments, India has laid a strong foundation for responsible data governance. Effective implementation, awareness, and institutional capacity will determine whether India’s digital future remains secure, rights-based, and globally credible.