New Delhi: In a bold step for preserving children’s digital integrity, the Indian government has put forward the initial version of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) rules. Consequently, these rules state that individuals who are less than 18 years old must have their parent or guardian consent to create accounts on social media platforms. This strategic move is part of the agenda for boosting digital personal data privacy and assuring the responsible use of the internet among adolescents.
According to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the window for sending feedback regarding the draft rules will be open until February 18, 2025. Amendments are likely to be done based on the received objections and suggestions, after which the regulations will be finalised.
The highly anticipated DPDP rules bring to light various aspects such as the rights over personal data, data processing issues, the operation of data processing entities, and the relevant authorities for dealing with that personal data. In spite of that, it is so important to realise that thus far this draft does not include any implications for the breaking of these rules, which creates a lot of questions about the enforcement.
The announcement reveals that the draft is published under Section 40 of the DPDP Act, 2023, which empowers the central government to offer the public informational rules of this nature. This element emphasises that people’s consent is a prerequisite for data processing and provides a framework of rights and obligations for data fiduciaries, who are the ones in control of processing personal data and have to comply with these rules.
The lacking stipulation for fines in the draft has been the issue that has put into discussions the question of accountability and that of compliance. The government has opened the door for the public to express their views on this set of rules, pledging to give due consideration to each opinion put forth before they make a final decision.
While the range of interaction on the net increases across all ages from children to adults, these regulations aim to provide children with a safe space online while assuring parents they still have to keep track of their children’s online activities.
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