DPDP Rules Will Be Refined Further to Connect Children With Technology While Saving Them From Harms in Digital Space: Ashwini Vaishnaw

The government issued draft DPDP Rules 2025 on January 3 and these are open for public consultation till February 18, 2024.

The Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, stated on Tuesday that the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules will be further refined to connect children with technology while protecting them from any potential harms in the digital realm.

During a press briefing, the minister highlighted that the rules will continue to evolve based on the learning acquired from their implementation.

"We will refine it (DPDP Rules) further to take the power of technology to children while saving them from many harms," Vaishnaw said.

The government had issued the draft DPDP Rules 2025 on January 3, which are open for public consultation till February 18, 2024.

As per the draft rules, digital platforms can process the data of a child only after obtaining consent from a verifiable guardian or parents.

The verification can be done either through voluntarily provided details of identity and age or a virtual token issued by an entity entrusted by law or by the Centre or state governments to maintain details of a person.

Vaishnaw noted that the token system has been successfully employed in various cases, such as verification for Aadhaar-based transactions.

"The tokens will be temporary and limited to one transaction after which it will be destroyed automatically," he said.

The minister further stated that sector-specific guidelines may be issued if the need arises and only after consultation with the sectoral experts and stakeholders.

He emphasized that there will be no risk to an individual's privacy from verification done through virtual tokens.

The DPDP Act will not affect whistleblowers, as they are protected under the law, the minister added.

Moreover, there is no limit set for filing complaints under the DPDP Act.