Cyber Law 6th Assignment

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The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act), 2023, establishes a comprehensive

framework for the processing of digital personal data in India, emphasizing the
responsibilities of Data Fiduciaries. A Data Fiduciary is defined as any person who
determines the purpose and means of processing personal data. The Act outlines several key
duties that Data Fiduciaries must adhere to, ensuring the protection of individuals' personal
data and compliance with legal standards.

1. Compliance with Legal Provisions

Data Fiduciaries are required to process personal data only in accordance with the provisions
of the DPDP Act and for lawful purposes. This means they must obtain explicit consent from
Data Principals (the individuals whose data is being processed) for the processing of their
personal data, or rely on certain legitimate uses as defined in the Act. The concept of "lawful
purpose" is crucial, as it restricts processing to activities that are not expressly forbidden by
law.

2. Notice and Transparency

Before processing personal data, Data Fiduciaries must provide clear and comprehensive
notices to Data Principals. This notice should inform individuals about the specific personal
data being processed, the purpose of processing, and the rights available to them under the
Act. This transparency is vital for ensuring that Data Principals can make informed decisions
regarding their consent.

3. Obtaining and Managing Consent

Data Fiduciaries must ensure that consent from Data Principals is free, specific, informed,
unconditional, and unambiguous. They are responsible for presenting requests for consent in
clear and plain language, allowing Data Principals to easily understand what they are
consenting to. Furthermore, Data Fiduciaries must provide mechanisms for Data Principals to
manage their consent, including the ability to withdraw consent at any time.

4. Data Security and Protection

A significant duty of Data Fiduciaries is to implement appropriate technical and


organizational measures to protect personal data from breaches. This includes taking
reasonable security safeguards to prevent unauthorized access, processing, or disclosure of
personal data. In the event of a personal data breach, Data Fiduciaries are obligated to notify
both the Data Protection Board and the affected Data Principals promptly.

5. Data Minimization and Purpose Limitation

Data Fiduciaries must adhere to the principles of data minimization and purpose limitation.
This means they should only collect personal data that is necessary for the specified purpose
and should not retain personal data longer than necessary. Upon the withdrawal of consent or
when the purpose of processing is no longer served, Data Fiduciaries are required to erase the
personal data.

6. Accountability and Record-Keeping

Data Fiduciaries are accountable for their processing activities and must maintain records of
processing activities. This accountability extends to ensuring that any Data Processors they
engage to handle personal data on their behalf also comply with the provisions of the DPDP
Act. Data Fiduciaries must ensure that contracts with Data Processors include obligations that
mirror their own responsibilities under the Act.

7. Rights of Data Principals

Data Fiduciaries must respect and facilitate the rights of Data Principals, which include the
right to access their personal data, the right to correction, and the right to erasure. They are
required to respond to requests from Data Principals regarding their rights within a prescribed
timeframe.

8. Grievance Redressal Mechanism

Data Fiduciaries must establish effective mechanisms for addressing grievances raised by
Data Principals. This includes providing clear channels for complaints and ensuring timely
responses to such grievances.

Conclusion

The DPDP Act, 2023, places significant responsibilities on Data Fiduciaries to protect
personal data and uphold the rights of individuals. By adhering to these duties, Data
Fiduciaries not only comply with legal requirements but also foster trust and transparency in
their data processing activities, ultimately contributing to a safer digital environment for all
stakeholders involved.

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