New Delhi, 14 November (H.S.): The Central Government has initiated the registration process for Consent Managers under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, with the registration framework coming into effect on November 13. Eligible Indian companies can now apply for registration, subject to a minimum net worth requirement of Rs. 2 crore.

S. Krishnan, Secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), on Saturday launched an online portal to facilitate the registration process. Eligible companies can submit their applications to the Data Protection Board of India through the portal.

A Consent Manager is an entity registered with the Data Protection Board of India that enables individuals to give, manage, review and withdraw consent for the use of their personal data through an accessible, transparent and interoperable platform.

The framework is intended to give individuals greater control over their personal information while strengthening transparency, trust and accountability in the digital ecosystem.

Companies incorporated in India with adequate technical, operational and financial capabilities can apply for registration. They must have a net worth of at least Rs. 2 crore to qualify. The Board will examine applications against the prescribed eligibility criteria before granting registration to qualifying entities. A list of registered Consent Managers will also be made publicly available on the Board's website.

The government has adopted a phased approach to implementing the DPDP Act and its accompanying rules. Other major provisions are scheduled to come into effect on May 13, 2027. These will cover the rights of individuals whose personal data is processed, the responsibilities of entities handling such data, and the Board's procedures for conducting inquiries and imposing penalties.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar