The DPDP Rules require social media platforms to obtain verifiable parental consent for processing minors’ data. While major companies like Google and Meta have advantages due to their existing data, smaller firms face challenges in compliance. The industry is exploring innovative consent mechanisms but seeks clarity on implementation and scalability of such systems.
Social media companies are currently evaluating the practicalities of obtaining parental consent amid the new Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules. Released on January 3, the guidelines stipulate that companies must secure verifiable consent from parents before processing data related to minors. Some industry executives express concern that the regulations designed to restrict Big Tech may inadvertently reinforce their dominance.
The DPDP rules particularly favor larger platforms like Google and Meta, as they already collect extensive data on both children and their guardians. An executive remarked, “The 10(a) clause of the DPDP Rules make compliance extremely easy for companies or platforms that have universal ubiquity” – Source. Thus, giants can verify parent-child relationships more readily than smaller firms.
Furthermore, younger companies such as Snapchat and Indian startups face substantial challenges in developing their own parent-child verification systems. Executives suggest that these platforms may incur excessive costs to implement solutions like DigiLocker integration for parental consent verification, posing a threat to their competitive standing.
Moreover, there is concern surrounding data privacy and collection practices. One executive noted, “There’s no way in which they can collect data or have that knowledge without explicit obligation or feature” – Source. This reflects apprehension regarding the implications of the DPDP Act over time with respect to data compliance.
An alternative mechanism mentioned is the use of virtual tokens for parental consent, which theoretically minimizes the need for extensive data collection. However, practical implementation remains complex. Executives underline the long-term challenges of achieving a smooth, scalable consent mechanism, particularly in light of existing regulatory frameworks.
As of now, the education ministry indicates that there are over 31.56 crore children registered for APAAR ID. For this ID system to evolve into an efficient tool for obtaining parental consent across various platforms will take considerable time and effort, as noted by industry experts.
In conclusion, the recent DPDP Rules mandate parental consent for data related to minors, which poses various challenges for social media companies. Major players like Google and Meta possess advantages in compliance due to their existing data infrastructure, while startups may struggle with the associated costs and implementation of consent mechanisms. The industry seeks clarity on how to effectively maneuver compliance with the new regulations, especially regarding innovative solutions like virtual tokens. The scalability of systems like APAAR ID will also be crucial in streamlining parental consent processes moving forward.
Original Source: m.economictimes.com
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