How to Handle User Data Requests Under the DPDP Act

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), 2023 is not just a privacy policy upgrade it’s a legal framework that gives Data Principals (users) powerful rights over their personal data.

For every business whether you're a startup or an enterprise handling user data requests is now a mandatory, high-risk compliance requirement, not a courtesy.

From data access and correction to withdrawal of consent and erasure, the DPDP Rules, 2025 have laid out clear expectations, strict timelines, and hefty penalties for non-compliance.

So how can your organisation stay compliant without disrupting operations? This guide breaks it down.

What Counts as a User Data Request Under DPDP?

As per the DPDP Act, users (Data Principals) have the right to request:

1. Access to the personal data a company has collected about them

2. Correction of incorrect or outdated data

3. Erasure of data that’s no longer needed or upon withdrawal of consent

4. A summary of processing activities

5. Withdrawal of previously given consent

6. Grievance redressal in case of violations

All of these are legally enforceable and must be handled in accordance with Rules 12–16 and Rule 21 of the DPDP Rules, 2025.

Why This Matters for Businesses

Failing to fulfill a user’s data request or taking too long can result in:

• Fines up to ₹250 crore per violation (Section 33)

• Loss of user trust and reputational damage

• Regulatory investigations and audits

• Legal action under the Data Protection Board of India

In short: no response, wrong response, or a late response = liability.

Step-by-Step: How to Handle User Data Requests

1. Designate a Grievance Officer

Under Rule 21, every Data Fiduciary (business) must appoint a Grievance Officer to handle requests. Their contact details must be published in the privacy notice.

2. Enable Verifiable Request Channels

You must offer secure, accessible, and verifiable methods for users to submit requests. This could include:

• Web forms with authentication

• In-app settings

• Email addresses tied to user accounts

• WhatsApp or chatbot interfaces with OTP verification

3. Authenticate the Requester

Before processing any request, ensure the identity of the user is verifiably authenticated to avoid fraudulent requests or data breaches.

4. Respond Within 7 Days

For most requests (like correction, erasure, or withdrawal), businesses must respond within 7 working days from the date of the request (Rule 14).
For grievance-related escalations, the same 7-day window applies (Rule 21).

5. Fulfill or Deny with Justification

If the request is valid, take necessary action, e.g., update the data, delete it, or provide access.
If you reject the request (e.g., for legal reasons), you must provide written justification and inform the user of their right to appeal.

6. Log Every Request

Maintain an audit trail of:

• Who made the request

• What was requested

• When it was fulfilled or denied

• What action was taken

• Who approved the response

These logs may be required during DPDP audits or Board investigations.

What Systems You’ll Need Internally

To stay compliant and efficient, implement:

• Consent Management Systems

• Data Discovery & Tagging Tools

• Access Control Logs

• Request Handling Dashboards

• Pre-approved Response Templates

Best Practices for Handling User Requests

• Ensure encryption and data security when transferring or deleting records

• Train your customer support & legal teams on DPDP rights and workflows

• Update your Privacy Policy to clearly mention how users can make these requests

• Automate wherever possible using compliance platforms like Blutic

How Blutic Simplifies Request Handling

Blutic enables businesses to meet DPDP data request obligations through:

• Consent and access request APIs

• User dashboards with “Download”, “Edit”, “Delete” options

• Grievance workflows with timestamped response logs

• Erasure automation across connected databases

• Real-time alerts when timelines are breached

With Blutic, you don’t need to reinvent your systems just plug in and stay protected.

User data requests are no longer just a CX feature they are legal rights backed by enforceable rules. Treat them with the seriousness they deserve, and build workflows that are verifiable, timely, and user-first. And if you’re looking for a tool to help you do that Blutic makes it simple to stay compliant, responsive, and audit ready.