Ch IPreliminary
S.1 Short title and commencementS.2 DefinitionsS.3 Application and scopeCh IIObligations of Data Fiduciary
S.4 Grounds for processingS.5 NoticeS.6 ConsentS.7 Certain legitimate usesS.8 Data Fiduciary obligationsS.9 Children’s dataS.10 Significant Data FiduciaryCh IIIRights and duties of Data Principal
S.11 Right to accessS.12 Correction and erasureS.13 Grievance redressalS.14 Right to nominateS.15 Duties of the Data PrincipalCh IVSpecial provisions
S.16 Transfer outside IndiaS.17 ExemptionsCh VData Protection Board of India
S.18 Establishment of the BoardS.19 Composition of the BoardS.20 Salary and term of officeS.21 DisqualificationsS.22 Resignation and vacanciesS.23 Proceedings of the BoardS.24 Officers and employeesS.25 Members as public servantsS.26 Powers of the ChairpersonCh VIBoard powers and procedure
S.27 Powers and functions of the BoardS.28 Procedure followed by the BoardCh VIIAppeal and dispute resolution
S.29 Appeal to the Appellate TribunalS.30 Tribunal orders as a decreeS.31 Alternate dispute resolutionS.32 Voluntary undertakingCh VIIIPenalties
S.33 Penalties and the ScheduleS.34 Penalties to Consolidated FundCh IXMiscellaneous
S.35 Good-faith protectionS.36 Power to call for informationS.37 Blocking of accessS.38 Consistency with other lawsS.39 Bar of jurisdictionS.40 Power to make rulesS.41 Laying of rules before ParliamentS.42 Power to amend the ScheduleS.43 Power to remove difficultiesS.44 Amendments to other ActsLarge platforms carry IT Rules 2021 duties and are prime candidates for Significant Data Fiduciary status, a distinct DPDP regime.
In short
Social media intermediaries operate under the IT Rules, 2021 and the DPDP Act. Their scale, profiling and electoral-democracy exposure make them likely to be assessed as Significant Data Fiduciaries, though none is designated yet. Note the IT Rules Significant Social Media Intermediary is not the same as a DPDP Significant Data Fiduciary. Penalties reach ₹250 crore.
What changes for this niche, and the specific rule it turns on.
The IT Rules, 2021 govern intermediary duties; the DPDP Act governs personal data. A Significant Social Media Intermediary is not automatically a DPDP Significant Data Fiduciary.
Given scale, profiling and electoral-democracy factors, large platforms are likely to be assessed as SDFs, adding a DPO, audits and algorithmic due diligence, once notified.
Behavioural profiling and targeting need consent; be transparent about how personal data feeds feeds and ads.
Where under-18s are present, Section 9 applies: verifiable parental consent and no targeted ads.
Ad-tech, analytics and moderation vendors are processors under contract.
Short, cite-able answers, mirrored in FAQPage schema.
Prepare for SDF-grade governance and fix profiling consent first.
The readiness check flags SDF-readiness, profiling and children gaps.
Take the readiness check →Consultant-led and partner-backed.