How to effectively manage your “digital consent” as outlined by the DPDPA?

In the age of hyperconnectivity, every swipe, click, or tap leaves a digital footprint. Whether you’re downloading an app, shopping online, or signing up for a newsletter, chances are you’re providing personal data—knowingly or not. This is where “digital consent” becomes crucial.

India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), 2023 introduces a rights-based framework that empowers individuals to take control of how their data is collected, processed, and shared. One of its cornerstones is consent-based data processing, meaning no organization can use your data without your clear permission.

But how do you effectively manage your digital consent under this new law? As a cybersecurity expert, I’ll walk you through the principles of DPDPA, how it affects you, and practical steps you can take to stay in control of your digital identity.

What is the DPDPA?

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 is India’s first comprehensive data protection law. It aims to regulate the use of personal data by both public and private entities and ensure that individuals—referred to as “data principals”—have full rights over their personal information.

Key Highlights:

  • Consent is central: Data cannot be collected or processed without your clear and informed consent.

  • Purpose limitation: Data can only be used for the purpose it was collected for.

  • Right to withdraw consent: You can revoke your consent at any time.

  • Right to grievance redressal: You have the right to complain and get issues resolved.

  • Children’s data is protected: Special provisions apply for minors under 18.

In simple terms, the law says: “It’s your data, your rules.”

What is Digital Consent?

Digital consent refers to your explicit permission given online for an organization to collect, store, and use your personal data. This can include your:

  • Name

  • Mobile number

  • Email address

  • Location

  • Biometrics (face, fingerprints)

  • Browsing behavior

Under DPDPA, your consent must be:

  • Free (not forced)

  • Informed (you know what you’re agreeing to)

  • Specific (clearly states what data is being collected and why)

  • Unambiguous (no vague or blanket statements)

  • Revocable (you can change your mind)

Why Managing Digital Consent Matters

Let’s say you sign up for a food delivery app. You give your name, address, phone number—and unknowingly, you also permit it to track your location, share your data with third-party advertisers, and send promotional emails. Months later, you’re bombarded with spam and notice ads eerily tailored to your conversations.

That’s the cost of unchecked digital consent.

Poor consent management can lead to:

  • Loss of privacy

  • Data breaches

  • Targeted scams and fraud

  • Unwanted marketing and spam

  • Misuse of sensitive personal data

DPDPA empowers you to avoid all of this—if you take your digital consent seriously.

Step-by-Step Guide: Managing Your Digital Consent Effectively

1. Understand What You’re Consenting To

Before hitting “Accept,” read the consent notice carefully. DPDPA requires companies to provide a clear, accessible, and plain-language explanation of:

  • What data is being collected

  • Why it is being collected

  • Who it will be shared with

  • How long it will be stored

Example:
When registering on an e-wallet app, you should be able to see if they’re requesting access to your contacts or location—and for what specific purpose.

🔐 Cyber Tip: If the app asks for access it doesn’t need to function (e.g., a calculator app asking for contact access), deny it and uninstall the app if necessary.

2. Use the “Right to Access” and “Right to Know”

Under DPDPA, you can ask any data fiduciary (the organization collecting your data):

  • What data they have on you

  • Why they are using it

  • Who they are sharing it with

  • How long they’ll keep it

How to do it:
Look for a “Privacy” or “Data Protection” page on the organization’s website. There should be a contact form or email address where you can make your request.

Example:
If you want to know what data your telecom provider holds about you, you can send a digital consent access request asking for full disclosure.

3. Review and Revoke Consent Periodically

Just because you gave permission once doesn’t mean it’s forever. DPDPA allows you to withdraw consent at any time.

Steps to Revoke:

  • Visit the app or website settings

  • Go to “Privacy” or “Permissions”

  • Turn off unnecessary access

  • Alternatively, email their data protection officer (DPO)

Example:
You once allowed an app to send push notifications and use your location. If it’s no longer needed, go to your phone settings and revoke those permissions.

🔄 Make it a monthly routine—just like cleaning your inbox.

4. Use Consent Management Tools and Platforms

DPDPA encourages the use of Consent Managers—independent platforms that allow you to view, manage, and revoke permissions across multiple services.

These tools (soon to be more widely available in India) will help you:

  • Track where you gave consent

  • Manage your data sharing preferences

  • Get reminders to audit consents

Example:
A consent manager may show that you’ve shared your mobile number and email with 15 different platforms. From there, you can choose to revoke unnecessary access.

5. Guard Against Implicit or Dark Pattern Consent

Sometimes companies use dark patterns—design tricks that manipulate you into giving consent you didn’t intend.

These include:

  • Pre-ticked boxes

  • Hidden terms

  • Misleading language

  • “Accept All” buttons larger than “Manage Preferences”

Under DPDPA, this is not valid consent.

🛡️ Cyber Tip: Always look for granular options. If you can, manually choose which permissions to allow.

6. Exercise Your “Right to Erasure”

If you no longer use a service, you can request the organization to delete your personal data.

How to request data deletion:

  • Send an email to the DPO (Data Protection Officer) of the platform

  • Specify that you are withdrawing consent and requesting data deletion under DPDPA

Example:
If you stopped using an old shopping app, ask them to delete your account and remove all associated data.

📩 Keep a copy of the email and request ID for your records.

7. Use Privacy-Centric Apps and Platforms

Choose services that:

  • Clearly explain their data policies

  • Allow you to control your settings

  • Offer data minimization (collect only what’s necessary)

Example:
Signal (a messaging app) collects zero metadata, unlike many popular alternatives. This aligns with DPDPA’s principles of consent and purpose limitation.

Public Use Cases & Examples

Case 1: A Parent Managing a Child’s Data

DPDPA prohibits tracking, behavioral advertising, or targeted content aimed at children without verifiable parental consent. As a parent, you can:

  • Use child-specific apps with built-in parental controls

  • Review and limit data sharing from school apps or games

  • Revoke consent for ads or profiling

Case 2: A Consumer Using a Loyalty App

Loyalty apps often request access to phone numbers, shopping habits, or payment history. Under DPDPA:

  • You can limit consent to only what’s necessary (e.g., storing points)

  • Revoke consent for promotional emails or third-party sharing

Conclusion

Managing your digital consent isn’t just a legal right—it’s a personal responsibility in the age of data capitalism. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, gives you powerful tools to regain control over your online identity.

By understanding what digital consent entails, reading the fine print, auditing permissions regularly, and using consent managers when available, you can protect your privacy and make informed decisions about who gets to access your data—and why.

🔐 Remember: Privacy is not the absence of data—it’s the control over it.

Take charge of your digital destiny. Don’t just click “Accept”—understand what you’re accepting.

rahulsharma

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