Centre puts ministries, states on Digital Personal Data Protection Act compliance clock

The Centre has begun pushing its own ministries, departments and state governments towards compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, asking them to appoint senior officials, set implementation timelines and overhaul how they collect, process and protect citizens’ personal data.

In a letter to Secretaries of the Government of India and Chief Secretaries of states and Union Territories, Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan has asked government bodies to prepare phased implementation plans with clearly defined responsibilities and timelines. Progress is to be reviewed periodically by the Secretary or Chief Secretary concerned, putting responsibility for implementation directly with the administrative leadership of each ministry and state.