courses:dpdp:module-04
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Module 04 — DPDP × RTI interplay — for both PIOs and citizens

DPDP Act 2023 + Rules 2026 Crash Course Module 04

Goal: Apply the right standard at the §8(1)(j) boundary.

§8(1)(j) of RTI vs DPDP

§8(1)(j) RTI exempts personal information unless disclosure is in larger public interest OR the information would have been disclosed to Parliament/Legislature.

DPDP doesn't override RTI but adds a consent factor:

  1. Living individual + sensitive personal data → DPDP Rule 4: PIO should consider data principal consent
  2. Deceased/historical data → DPDP largely doesn't apply; pure §8(1)(j) test
  3. Public-servant 'public activity' → §8(1)(j) doesn't shield (per Karnataka HC 9-Feb-2026)

PIO workflow under combined regime

For each personal-information RTI:

  1. Is the data subject a public servant in their public-activity capacity? → §8(1)(j) doesn't apply; disclose.
  2. Is the data subject deceased? → DPDP doesn't apply; pure §8(1)(j) test.
  3. Is the data subject a private individual? → §11 third-party notice (RTI) + consider DPDP consent factor.
  4. Is the request large-public-interest? → §8(2) override applies; disclose with redaction.

§7(b) state function + DPDP

DPDP §7(b) allows the State to process personal data for benefit/subsidy/license without consent. This means:

  1. Govt can collect Aadhaar-linked subsidy data without separate consent under DPDP
  2. But the data can still be requested under RTI as 'records held by public authority'
  3. Combination: data was lawfully processed under DPDP + can be requested under RTI subject to §8 / §10

Citizen actions

For citizens whose personal data is held by govt:

  1. DPDP §11 right to information: ask the Fiduciary what data is held + how processed
  2. RTI §6(1): ask the public authority for records about you
  3. These overlap — but DPDP gives you the right to correction + erasure; RTI doesn't.
  4. For breach by govt: file with DPB under §34

Penalties + Data Protection Board

Data Protection Board of India (DPB) — 4-7 members appointed by Central Govt, 2-year terms.

Penalties (Schedule):

  1. Failure to take security safeguards: up to ₹250 crore
  2. Failure to notify breach: up to ₹200 crore
  3. Failure to fulfill child-data obligations: up to ₹200 crore
  4. Other obligations: up to ₹50 crore

DPB appeals → Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) → Supreme Court.

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