India’s Right to Privacy vs. the EU’s GDPR: A Detailed Comparative Analysis

Data privacy has emerged as a critical issue in the digital age, with jurisdictions worldwide enacting laws to protect personal information. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is widely regarded as the global benchmark for data protection, while India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023 represents the country’s first comprehensive attempt at regulating privacy.

This article provides an in-depth comparison between the two frameworks, analyzing their legal foundations, key provisions, enforcement mechanisms, and potential shortcomings.

1. Legal Foundations & Scope

GDPR: A Rights-Based, Extraterritorial Regulation

• Enforced since May 2018, the GDPR applies to all EU member states and any organization worldwide processing EU residents' data.

• Built on the principle that privacy is a fundamental human right (as per the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU).

• Extraterritorial reach: Even non-EU companies must comply if they offer goods/services to EU citizens or monitor their behavior.

India’s DPDPA: A Developing Framework with Government Exemptions

• Rooted in the 2017 Supreme Court judgment (Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India), which recognized privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty).

• The DPDPA 2023 is India’s first dedicated data protection law but is narrower in scope compared to GDPR.

• No extraterritorial application: Only regulates data processed within India, unless explicitly related to Indian citizens.

• Broad exemptions for government agencies, raising concerns about state surveillance and overreach.

2. Core Principles & Rights Comparison

A. Consent & Lawful Processing

Aspect	GDPR	India’s DPDPA
Consent Requirement	Must be explicit, informed, and freely given (opt-in). Pre-ticked boxes are invalid.	Allows implied consent in certain cases, making it less stringent.
Withdrawal of Consent	Users can easily withdraw consent, and data must be deleted unless another legal basis exists.	Withdrawal is permitted, but exceptions apply for legal/compliance reasons.
Alternative Legal Bases	Includes contractual necessity, legal obligation, vital interests, public task, and legitimate interests.	Similar but government can bypass consent for "public interest."

B. Data Subject Rights

Right	GDPR	India’s DPDPA
Right to Access	Individuals can request all personal data held by an organization.	Similar, but exemptions for trade secrets, legal proceedings, etc.
Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten")	Strong enforcement; applies unless conflicting legal obligations exist.	Limited—only if data is no longer necessary or consent is withdrawn. Government data exempt.
Right to Data Portability	Users can request their data in a machine-readable format and transfer it.	Not explicitly guaranteed under DPDPA.
Right to Correction	Entities must rectify inaccurate data upon request.	Present, but no strict timelines for compliance.

C. Special Categories of Data

• GDPR: Extra protections for sensitive data (race, religion, health, biometrics, sexual orientation). Requires explicit consent or strong justification.

• DPDPA: Does not classify sensitive data separately, treating it like regular personal data—a major gap compared to GDPR.

3. Compliance & Enforcement

A. Penalties & Fines

Aspect	GDPR	India’s DPDPA
Maximum Penalty	€20 million or 4% of global turnover (whichever is higher).	₹250 crore (~$30 million) per violation—significantly lower than GDPR.
Government Accountability	Applies equally to public & private sectors.	Government largely exempt from penalties, reducing accountability.
Enforcement Body	Independent Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) in each EU country.	Data Protection Board of India (DPBI)—weaker, with limited autonomy.

B. Data Localization & Cross-Border Transfers

• GDPR: Allows free flow of data within the EU but imposes restrictions on transfers to non-EU countries unless they ensure "adequate protection."

• DPDPA: No strict data localization (unlike earlier drafts), but the government can block data transfers to certain countries.

4. Criticisms & Key Concerns

GDPR: Strengths & Challenges

✅ Strong user rights & transparency

✅ Global influence (inspired laws like California’s CCPA, Brazil’s LGPD)

❌ High compliance costs for businesses

❌ Complexity in cross-border data transfers

India’s DPDPA: Major Gaps

✅ First step toward formal data protection

✅ More business-friendly than GDPR (lower fines, implied consent allowed)

❌ Weak on government oversight (exemptions for state surveillance)

❌ No special protections for sensitive data

❌ Lacks GDPR-style data portability & right to explanation

5. Which One is Better?

The GDPR remains the gold standard due to its:

• Stronger consent requirements

• Broader individual rights

• Equal application to public/private sectors

• Heavier penalties for violations

India’s DPDPA is a positive step but falls short in key areas, particularly in government accountability and sensitive data protections. Future amendments may bring it closer to GDPR standards, but for now, it prioritizes ease of business over strict privacy safeguards.

6. The Road Ahead for India

To strengthen its privacy framework, India should consider:

✔ Introducing GDPR-like protections for sensitive data

✔ Reducing government exemptions to prevent misuse

✔ Enhancing the Data Protection Board’s independence

✔ Adding data portability & right to explanation

Final Thoughts

While India’s DPDPA is a welcome development, it is not as robust as the GDPR. Businesses operating in both regions must navigate these differences carefully. For Indian users, the law provides basic protections but leaves room for stronger safeguards in the future.

What do you think? Should India adopt stricter GDPR-like rules, or is the current balance sufficient? Let’s discuss in the comments!