Karnataka Caste Census Forms Cite DPDP Act - What It Means
The self-declaration forms for Karnataka's caste census mention the DPDP Act and Rules, affecting the state's citizens.
The Government of Karnataka is undertaking a Socio-Economic and Educational Survey, or the “Caste Census”, where citizens sign self-declaration forms based on the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 and its draft rules.
Apar Gupta, Founder Director of the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), stated: “The DPDP Act is not yet in force, and no commencement notification has been issued. So any ‘consent’ language on these forms that cites the DPDP Act has no statutory footing. It’s merely black ink on a white page, not a legally enforceable right. [Also] references to ‘DPDP Rules’ are wholly misconceived because there is no final, notified set of rules in the public domain,”
Apar Gupta highlighted the flaws in this consent process.
Author's summary: Karnataka's caste census forms cite the DPDP Act.