DPDP vs GDPR — A Comparison
Where India's DPDP Act and the EU's GDPR line up, where they diverge, and why one does not substitute for the other.
Where DPDP and GDPR overlap
- Notice to the data subject / Data Principal.
- Consent as a lawful basis for processing personal data.
- Purpose limitation.
- Data subject / Data Principal rights.
- Breach notification.
- Accountability obligations on the controller / Data Fiduciary.
Where they differ
- Lawful bases. GDPR has a fuller set of lawful bases — including legitimate interests — for processing personal data.
- Cross-border transfer mechanics. GDPR has stricter and more codified transfer mechanics.
- Rollout shape. DPDP centres on consent with a phased operational rollout.
If you serve EU users, GDPR compliance does not substitute for DPDP compliance. Each regime asks separate, parallel questions, and both apply independently. Build a shared control layer where you can — but expect distinct records, notices, and rights workflows on each side.
In plain English: think of DPDP and GDPR as two doors on the same room. Passing through one does not open the other. If EU users are in your product, treat both as live obligations.
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Check your readiness
Serving users in more than one jurisdiction? Run the readiness checklist to see your baseline DPDP coverage before adding foreign-law obligations on top.
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