Data Protection rules balance regulation & innovation while safeguarding citizens' rights: Vaishnaw

Government drafts Digital Personal Data Protection Rules to balance regulation and innovation while safeguarding citizens' rights.

The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules drafted by the government create a balance between regulation and innovation while protecting citizens' rights, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday (January 4, 2025).

The government has issued draft rules for the Digital Personal Data Protection Act on Friday for public consultation till February 18.

"Rules have to be within four walls of the Act. It is within the ambit of the Act passed by Parliament. These rules have been framed to ensure a balance between regulation and innovation while completely safeguarding the rights of citizens," Mr. Vaishnaw told PTI in an interview.

The Minister said earlier there was only one template available to the world -- the European data protection rule with high level of regulation -- but Indian rules have attempted to balance the regulation with innovation to safeguard the boom in innovation ecosystem developing among start-ups in the country.

He said extensive consultation has been held with the industry and a digital office is being put in place for registration of complaints, their handling and adjudication.

The Minister said the final rules will be placed before Parliament in the monsoon session and all entities handling data digitally will get two years to adapt their system and comply with the law.

"All entities covered under the Act will have to review existing consent after the rules are in place," Mr. Vaishnaw said.