The Lok Sabha on December 05, 2025, issued the Digital Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2024, further to amend the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
The following has been amended, namely: -
• The Bill amends the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, to refine the definition of “child,” lowering the age threshold to between 13 and 16 years as notified by the Government for certain purposes.
• It expands the purposes for lawful processing to expressly protect the rights and best interests of children, gender minorities, and persons with disabilities, and to allow data transfer upon request by legal guardians.
• New obligations require data fiduciaries to undertake only processing of children’s personal data that is in their best interests and allow the Central Government to restrict tracking, behavioural monitoring, or targeted advertising directed at children.
• The Bill also introduces a self-assessment mechanism for safe processing practices and mandates presentation of such self-assessments to the Data Protection Board.
• Finally, it inserts additional rule-making powers related to self-assessment processes and determining verifiable safety standards for children’s data.
[Bill No. 182 of 2024]
