New Delhi, Nov 27 (LatestNewsX) – The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 mark a significant step toward enforcing the country’s data‑protection framework, while urging clearer guidance on several provisions and sector‑specific compliance measures.
“The Rules adopt a purpose‑limited, notice‑and‑consent‑based model with defined reporting timelines, broad fiduciary accountability and limited exemptions. India now joins other nations having a comprehensive data protection framework that ensures citizens’ data protection and data rights,” explained Dr S.P. Kochhar, Director General of COAI.
The association also highlighted unresolved questions that surfaced during public consultations, such as how to set parameters for a security‑compliance framework, the methodology for age verification when seeking verifiable consent from minors, and the DPIA obligations for Significant Data Fiduciary (SDF) entities.
In addition, COAI called for clearer interpretation of “purpose limitation” and “legitimate use,” as well as for practical guidance on multilingual consent, breach‑notification requirements, consent‑manager duties, and alignment with sector‑specific laws.
Regarding security compliance, COAI noted that the current telecom framework is highly detailed and resource‑intensive, and urged the Data Protection Board to adopt a risk‑based, calibrated approach that reflects global best practices while respecting established telecom‑security norms.
For mandatory breach notifications, COAI recommended a proportionate reporting model similar to those used in Japan and certain EU jurisdictions.
From a sectoral standpoint, the mature network and system‑security controls already deployed by telecom providers reduce the risk of unauthorised access, exfiltration, or misuse of personal data, the release said.
COAI also proposed a practical exemption for minors aged 16‑18 in the SIM‑acquisition process, noting that establishing verifiable consent for users below 18 is difficult and does not reflect India’s varied household structures or the digital autonomy encouraged by the government.
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