Navigating India's new data protection era: PCQuest's hands-on workshop on DPDPA 2023

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The digital landscape in India is undergoing a massive transformation. On January 3, 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) released the Draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, seeking feedback from industry stakeholders via the MyGov portal.

As organizations scramble to understand the nuances of DPDPA 2023, it's clear that compliance isn't just a checkbox-it's a strategic necessity. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023 introduces a robust framework for processing personal data, ensuring that data collected online-or even offline but later digitized-adheres to strict privacy standards.

To help CISOS, CIOS, CTOs, and security professionals navigate this regulatory shift, PCQuest, in collaboration with SM Consulting and Fortinet, has been organizing a series of hands-on workshops across India. These workshops are designed to move beyond legal jargon and offer practical insights into compliance strategies.

Let's dive into the key takeaways from the Delhi and Mumbai chapters of this highly anticipated workshop series.

Why DPDPA 2023 Matters?

The DPDPA 2023 is a significant departure from India's earlier approach to data privacy. It builds on years of legal recommendations and court rulings, placing explicit obligations on data fiduciaries-entities that determine how personal data is processed.

Key Compliance Takeaways:

Explicit Consent is King - Organizations must obtain clear, affirmative consent from users before processing their data.

Exceptions Exist - Certain cases allow data processing without consent, such as government functions, legal obligations, or emergencies.

Steep Penalties - Companies failing to comply with the act risk facing substantial fines for data breaches and non-compliance.