Shivam Pravin Singh
Email: shivampravinsingh09@[Link] Cell No: +91-
9167937705
Date: 20.06.2025
Proposed Programme : Ph.D. in Law (Batch - 2025)
Title: Is the DPDP Act, 2023 Just a Law on Paper ? A Study on the Ground-
Level Compliance by Indian Websites
Aim of the Project: The project aims to critically study the actual
implementation of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 in
India. It will examine how Indian websites across sectors are complying with
the core provisions of the Act, and whether the spirit of data privacy is being
upheld beyond just legal formalities.
Statement of the Problem: With the introduction of the DPDP Act, India has
taken a major step toward formalizing data protection. However, as a practicing
lawyer working closely with digital platforms and companies, I have noticed a
wide gap between what the law says and what is followed in practice. Many
websites either lack a proper privacy policy or use boilerplate language without
real compliance with the Act. There is little awareness or preparedness,
especially among smaller players. The real problem is the difference between
the theoretical framework of the Act and the actual commitment to protecting
user data on the ground. This research aims to explore this disconnect.
Overview of Literature: Much of the current literature around the DPDP Act is
either descriptive or comparative drawing parallels with GDPR or outlining the
Address: T-6, Lotan Bhaiya Chawl, Hanuman Nagar, Kurar Village, Malad East, Mumbai,
Maharashtra, India - 400097
Shivam Pravin Singh
Email: shivampravinsingh09@[Link] Cell No: +91-
9167937705
legislative journey. There are academic commentaries and case studies that
discuss the evolution of the right to privacy post Puttaswamy Case, but there is
limited work that looks at how Indian websites are responding to the Act in real
time. This research intends to fill that gap by building on both doctrinal and
practical observations.
Conceptual Framework:
The study will use a mix of legal and policy concepts, such as “effective
compliance,” “data governance,” and “techno-legal enforcement.” These will
help assess whether websites are meeting the requirements of the Act—like
consent mechanisms, data storage guidelines, and user rights—through actual
processes or just surface-level documentation.
Research Questions:
1. Are Indian websites truly complying with the DPDP Act, 2023?
2. What are the common gaps and challenges in practical enforcement?
3. Does the law, in its current form, offer real protection or is it symbolic at
this stage?
Research Methodology:
Address: T-6, Lotan Bhaiya Chawl, Hanuman Nagar, Kurar Village, Malad East, Mumbai,
Maharashtra, India - 400097
Shivam Pravin Singh
Email: shivampravinsingh09@[Link] Cell No: +91-
9167937705
(a) Coverage: The study will assess around 100 Indian websites across
sectors like e-commerce, education, healthcare, and fintech. Sampling
will include a mix of large companies and smaller platforms.
(b) Data Collection: I will review privacy policies, cookies banners, and
terms of service. Interviews with compliance officers and legal teams
will be conducted where possible.
(c) Data Analysis: A scoring framework will be created to measure
compliance levels. Content analysis and basic statistical tools will help
identify patterns and trends.
Implications:
This study can contribute to the ongoing discussion around data privacy
enforcement in India. It may help policymakers understand where the law is
falling short and guide future amendments or awareness campaigns. It can also
assist companies in aligning their practices more closely with the spirit of the
Act.
References:
Solove, Daniel J. Understanding Privacy (Harvard University Press,
2021)
Government of India. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
Neha Mishra | Data Governance and Digital Trade in India: Losing Sight
of the Forest for the Trees? (Oxford Academics, December, 2023)
Address: T-6, Lotan Bhaiya Chawl, Hanuman Nagar, Kurar Village, Malad East, Mumbai,
Maharashtra, India - 400097
Shivam Pravin Singh
Email: shivampravinsingh09@[Link] Cell No: +91-
9167937705
Warm Regards,
Mr. Shivam Pravin Singh
Address: T-6, Lotan Bhaiya Chawl, Hanuman Nagar, Kurar Village, Malad East, Mumbai,
Maharashtra, India - 400097