“Data” can be any information about you, such as your name, your birth date, where you live, your phone number, or even your test scores.

This information only belongs to you, and “data privacy” is what we call keeping this information safe from being seen or used by the wrong people.

“Data protection” is like having a special guard to protect all your information.

This guard makes sure that your information stays with you, and is not lost or shared with the wrong people.

A “data principal” is the person the information is about.

If that's you and you're not 18 years old yet, it also includes your parents or any adult who takes care of you.

If you are asked whether you want to share your information, you understand why they want it, and say “yes” because you want to, that’s what is known as “consent”.

If you’re not an adult yet, your parents or any adult who takes care of you may give consent for you.

Personal data is any information about you, such as your name, address, your birth date, Aadhaar number, or even information from your body or behaviour that is unique to you, such as your fingerprints (we call this “biometric” data).

Sensitive personal data is extra important information about you, like your health records or your fingerprints.

It needs even stronger protection to keep it safe.

A data breach is when someone is able to see your secret information without your permission. A data breach must always be reported to your parents or to your teachers, or any adult that you trust.

Encryption is like locking or putting a secret code on your data so only the right people can read it.

Example:

Data minimization means only collecting the information that's really needed and nothing extra.

Example:

Data localization means keeping your information inside India, so that the government can protect it better. It's like keeping your favourite things in a safe at home instead of leaving them out in the open.

This is like a rulebook that helps make sure your information is safe online. It has special rules to protect your privacy.