Data protection · Provision
Data Principals must not impersonate others, suppress facts, or file frivolous complaints — punishable with a fine up to ₹10,000. (Section 15, Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.)
Quick Statutory Answer
Section 15 of the DPDP Act 2023 sets out mandatory statutory duties for individuals (Data Principals). It strictly prohibits impersonating others, suppressing material identity information on official government documents, submitting unverified details for correction, or filing false or frivolous complaints with a Data Fiduciary or the Board. Breach of Section 15 duties is punishable by the Data Protection Board with a fine of up to ₹10,000 under the Schedule.
| Statutory Duty (Section 15) | Prohibited Action | Legal Benchmark | Penalty (Section 33 Schedule) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prohibition of Impersonation | Registering with another person's identity/PAN/Aadhaar | Must provide own authentic data | Up to ₹10,000 fine |
| Non-Suppression on State IDs | Concealing material facts for official State documents | Full truthful disclosure required | Up to ₹10,000 fine |
| No False / Frivolous Complaints | Filing fake or malicious grievances to harass companies | Good faith genuine grievances only | Up to ₹10,000 fine |
| Authentic Information for Correction | Supplying fabricated documents to modify records | Must provide verifiably authentic data | Up to ₹10,000 fine |
Fine up to ₹10,000. The only provision in the DPDP Act imposing monetary penalties on individuals rather than companies.
Under Section 15, individuals must not impersonate others, suppress material facts on official documents, submit unauthentic data for correction, or file false and frivolous complaints with companies or the Board.
The Data Protection Board can impose a monetary penalty of up to ₹10,000 on an individual who files a false or frivolous complaint.
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A plain-English summary of what this provision requires, not a reproduction of it and not legal advice. Read alongside the bare Act, and take advice on anything turning on your own facts.