IT Ministry Receives 7,000 Comments on Draft Data Protection Rules

Rapid Summary:

• Draft DPDP Rules 2025: The Ministry of Electronics and Facts Technology informed Parliament that the draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 received 6,915 public comments from stakeholders, including firms and citizens.
• Consultations Held: Back-to-back consultation sessions occurred since the January publication of the draft. Comments are being kept confidential to allow candid submissions.
• Delay in Notification: The DPDP Act, enacted in 2023, requires these rules for implementation but has been delayed by seven months-well beyond the initial timeline suggested. Officials have not provided reasons or estimated timelines for final notification.
• U.S.-India Trade Agreement Link?: Speculations exist regarding delays being tied to ongoing bilateral trade negotiations with a focus on ease of business for tech firms.
• Key Features of Draft Rules:

– Penalties for data breaches by private entities while exempting government agencies from some provisions.
– Introduction of consent managers enabling individuals to regulate their data usage and withdrawal rights.

• Provisions Criticized: Concerns raised by transparency advocates over changes to the Right to Information act (2005), limiting disclosures. Journalistic bodies worry about inadequate protections for journalistic work.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The delay in notifying the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules risks undermining trust in India’s commitment toward robust data protection frameworks. While receiving over 6,900 stakeholder inputs reflects commendable engagement efforts by the government, withholding feedback results may reduce overall transparency-a key pillar expected in good governance.

The stalled implementation raises strategic questions against India’s promise as a global technology hub amidst significant ongoing discussions with U.S-based companies through bilateral trade agreements. if linked closely to this delay tactically or economically, it would reflect prioritization struggles between domestic reform versus international diplomacy.

The exemption clauses carved out for governmental operations and amendments impacting Right To Information release provisions showcase challenges balancing privacy protections with national administrative needs-a recurring concern faced globally when drafting such laws.

Advocacy groups’ criticisms over journalistic limitations within drafted frameworks merit attention soon if India seeks coherence on protecting press freedoms alongside citizen privacy rights as complex digital economies expand further into daily life locally and internationally.

Read more at: The Hindu