The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said on Sunday that the proposed Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) regulations are intended to protect people’s rights to the protection of their personal data while also addressing particular issues such as unauthorized commercial use of data and digital damages.

With provisions for informed consent, the right to deletion, and grievance redress, the regulations empower people by giving them more control over their data. According to the official statement, parents and guardians have the authority to guarantee their children’s online safety.

According to the statement, the guidelines are intended to empower individuals in a fast-expanding digital economy while striking the correct balance between innovation and regulation, ensuring that all citizens and the country’s digital economy can benefit from India’s expanding innovation ecosystem.

The regulations put individuals at the center of the framework for data protection. In order to provide informed consent, data fiduciaries must make information regarding the processing of personal data easily comprehensible.

“India’s model strikes a unique balance between fostering innovation and regulation to protect personal data,” the statement emphasizes. These regulations prioritize the well-being of citizens while promoting economic progress, in contrast to constrictive global frameworks. This is seen by stakeholders as a new worldwide data governance blueprint.

Smaller companies and startups should have less of a compliance burden, according to the guidelines. According to the statement, a sufficient amount of time would be given to enable a seamless transition for all parties involved, from tiny businesses to major corporations, in order to comply with the new legislation.

The guidelines adopt the “digital by design” tenet. Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business are the goals of consent procedures, grievance resolution, and the operations of the Data Protection Board. According to the announcement, the Board would operate as a digital office with an app and digital platform that will allow residents to contact it online and have their grievances resolved without having to be present in person.

Workflows are optimized to guarantee speed and transparency in everything from handling complaints to communicating with data fiduciaries. According to the statement, this fosters confidence between people and data fiduciaries and demonstrates India’s forward-thinking approach to government.

It also emphasizes how the guidelines’ tiered responsibilities provide startups and MSMEs a less compliance burden while significant data fiduciaries are subject to heavier duties. The fundamental foundation for protecting personal data established by the Act and its regulations may be enhanced by sector-specific data protection measures.

The digital office strategy of the Data Protection Board would guarantee prompt and open complaint handling. When enforcing fines for defaults, the Board must take into account many criteria, including the kind and severity of the default, the steps taken to reduce its effect, etc.

Additionally, at any point during the proceedings, data fiduciaries may voluntarily make commitments that, if approved by the board, would lead to their termination. This provides a fair adjudicatory framework for entities processing personal data while also striking a balance with the need to protect people’s rights, the statement said.

The proposed regulations are the result of extensive research into international best practices and feedback from a broad range of stakeholders. In keeping with the government’s pledge to pursue an open approach to lawmaking, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has extended the deadline for public and stakeholder input and suggestions until February 18 via the MyGov website.

The government also organizes a thorough awareness campaign in the meantime. These programs will promote a culture of data stewardship by educating the public about their rights and obligations under the new framework.