Understanding Consent Management Under DPDPA

With growing concerns over data privacy, consent management is an important element of any digital interaction. It is not just a legal obligation, but also an important way to build trust and to establish a transparent relationship with your audience. 

What is consent management? 

Consent management could be described as a user's experience to obtain consent from users for the purposes of collection, use and sharing of their personal data. Consent management is important in creating additional control of a user's information and in ensuring users that organizations collect and use their data appropriately.

Key components of good consent management: 

Clear and Transparent Communication: 

• Giving users easy-to-understand information regarding your organization’s data collection activities.

• Clarifying the reason for data collection and how data will be utilized.

• Avoid the use of vague or ambiguous language. 

Granular Consent Options:

• Providing users with more specific choices in relation to any one of your organization’s data processing activities.

• Allowing users to opt in or opt out of different types of data collection.

• Provide options for managing preferences and options to withdraw consent.

Record Keeping and Audit Trails: 

• Maintaining effective record keeping and accurate accounts of consent status with dates and details of the information shared with the users.

• Implementing audit trails to track changes in consent status.

• Assuring compliance with data protection regulations.

User-Friendly Consent Interfaces:

• Creating easy-to-use and clear consent forms and preference centers

• Making it straightforward for users to understand and exercise their consent choices.

• Making it consistent across devices and platforms

Data Minimization and Purpose Limitation:

• Collecting data as necessary and only for specific legitimate purposes.

• Not utilizing data for purposes beyond those for which consent was obtained.

• Having data retention practices in place and adhered to.

Why is Consent Management Needed?

Legal Compliance: Comply with data protection legislation (GDPR, CCPA, etc.) 

Building Trust: Demonstrate respect for user privacy.

Better User Experience: Giving your users control of their data and the overall user experience.

Brand Reputation: Protecting your brand's reputation by demonstrating responsible data handling practices.

Reduced Risk: Mitigate the risk of a data breach, financial and legal implications. 

Better Data Quality: Getting more accurate and reliable data through transparent consent. 

Implementing Consent Management Solutions: 

• Utilize consent management platforms (CMP) to automate how to collect and manage consent. 

• Integrate consent management tools on your website, apps and all digital channels. 

• Ensure staff are trained on data protection principles, including best practice in consent management. 

• Review and update your consent management regularly.

• Conduct a regular audit of your systems. 

By emphasizing user privacy and following reliable consent management practices, consent management is therefore important because organizations can build an enhanced relationship with their audience and feel comfortable in a changing world of data privacy.