A formal risk assessment evaluating how data processing activities impact the privacy rights of individuals.
A Data Protection Impact Assessment is a structured evaluation that Significant Data Fiduciaries must conduct to assess risks arising from data processing activities. The DPIA must evaluate the nature, scope, and context of processing; potential impact on Data Principal rights; risk mitigation measures; and whether processing is proportionate to its purpose. Rules 2025 mandate periodic DPIAs and their submission to the Board upon request.
While currently mandatory only for Significant Data Fiduciaries, conducting DPIAs proactively demonstrates accountability and helps identify compliance gaps before they become enforcement actions. It also becomes mandatory if you cross the SDF threshold.
A large Hyderabad health-tech platform processing 10 million patient records must conduct a DPIA before launching a new AI diagnostic feature. The assessment identifies that automated health predictions require additional consent and human review mechanisms.
DPIAs are not one-time documents. They must be updated whenever processing changes materially — new data categories, new purposes, new technology, or new recipients.
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