Quick Answer
Non-profit organisations and NGOs collect personal data of donors, volunteers, beneficiaries, and programme participants. Under the DPDP Act 2023, non-profits are Data Fiduciaries and must comply with consent, privacy notice, and data retention requirements — there is no blanket exemption for charitable organisations. Key risk areas include donor databases, beneficiary health data, and sharing data with international funding organisations.
Quick AnswerNonprofits must obtain explicit consent from donors and beneficiaries, implement purpose limitation for data use, and apply special protections for beneficiary data that may reveal health, income, or vulnerability information.
DPDP Compliance Checklist
- Map all personal data: donor records, beneficiary profiles, volunteer data, grant applications
- Obtain explicit consent before using donor data for fundraising campaigns or third-party sharing
- Apply heightened protection to beneficiary data — often contains sensitive information
- Publish a plain-language privacy notice on your website and donation pages
- Implement secure storage for beneficiary records — encrypt sensitive case files
- Train field staff on data minimisation — collect only what is needed for programme delivery
- Allow donors to opt out of marketing communications at any time
- Review FCRA compliance interactions with DPDP — foreign donations and data sharing
- Implement data deletion for volunteers and donors who disengage
- Conduct annual data audit across all programmes and donor databases
Download Full Compliance Guide (Free)
Get the complete sector-specific checklist, risk areas, and 30-day action plan — delivered to your inbox.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are NGOs covered under DPDP Act 2023?+
Yes. Any entity processing personal data of Indian citizens — including NGOs and nonprofits — is subject to DPDP Act 2023, regardless of profit status.
How should NGOs handle sensitive beneficiary data?+
Beneficiary data often reveals health conditions, financial distress, or displacement status — all sensitive. NGOs should implement role-based access, encryption, and strict purpose limitation.
Can NGOs share donor data with international parent organisations?+
Cross-border transfers require compliance with DPDP's transfer provisions and explicit donor consent where required.
Every Sunday
The Sunday DPDP Brief
One real DPDP development explained in plain English, one practical how-to, one number from our own assessment data. Nothing else — no daily noise, no sales pitch.
No spam. Unsubscribe with one click, anytime.
