The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules (DPDPR), 2025 propose a child verification system through ID tokenization formulated with consultation from Tech Industry to ensure minors do not access age-restricted online services without parental consent.

About ID Tokenisation

• Definition: Tokenization creates a digital representation of personal data, ensuring the original data remains secure and inaccessible.
• Currently, most platforms allow any user to simply declare that they are at least 13 years old, and have parental consent if they are below 18 years of age.
• Use Case: Platforms must verify the age of users or their guardians using a token rather than storing complete identity records.
• Existing Applications: Tokenisation is widely used in payment systems to secure credit card information.
• Benefits of Tokenisation in Age Verification
• • Safeguards minors by ensuring compliance with age restrictions for online services and social media platforms.
  • Prevents platforms from directly accessing or storing sensitive identity documents.
  • Ensures data privacy by allowing tokens to be deleted once their purpose is fulfilled.

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Privacy Concerns and Government’s Response

• Privacy advocates have raised concerns about requiring all users, including adults, to verify their age for online services.
• The government emphasized that modern technology enables seamless and non-intrusive age verification.
• The tokenisation approach mitigates privacy risks by limiting data exposure.

Role India’s Digital Framework in Achieving 

• India’s robust digital architecture, powered by Aadhaar and payment systems, positions the country ahead of many developed nations in implementing such measures.
• The rules reinforce citizen-centric governance and data protection.
• Platforms operating in India must incorporate token-based age verification for all new users.
• The government’s assurance that tokens can be deleted post-verification addresses privacy and security concerns.

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