How to protect your online privacy in India – No Tech Skills needed

By Prateeksha Thakur | 21/04/2025 | Categories: Education, India

April 21, 2025

Online privacy in India: With over 800 million Indians using the internet today, protecting personal information has become increasingly important. From ordering biryani on Swiggy to making UPI payments, every tap can leave behind digital traces that scammers can exploit.

But here’s the good news, you don’t need to be a tech expert to protect yourself. This guide gives you simple, effective tips that anyone can follow, no jargon, no complicated tools.

Why privacy protection is essential for Indian users

Data breaches in India have increased by over 300% since 2021, according to reports by CERT-In. The effects go beyond financial loss and include:

• Spam calls and messages using leaked data
• Scam attempts impersonating real companies or government services
• Identity theft leading to fake bank accounts or fraud
• Misuse of personal photographs or messages

Many of these issues result from small oversights in day-to-day internet use, problems that can be fixed easily with basic precautions.

Step 1: Strengthen Password Practices

Common password habits in India include using names, birth years, or easily guessable combinations like “password123.” These are frequently exploited in credential leaks.

Recommended measures:

• Use a free password manager such as Bitwarden to create and store strong, unique passwords
• Consider passphrases that combine Hindi/English words, numbers, and symbols to make long but memorable passwords
• Avoid using the same password across banking, social media, and other critical accounts

Step 2: Manage App Permissions

Most users grant permissions to apps without reviewing them. Many popular Indian apps request access beyond what they require for core functions.

Suggested actions:

• Review app permissions monthly, especially for location, contacts, and storage access
• Modify privacy settings on apps like WhatsApp, ShareChat, and Instagram to limit visibility
• Avoid sharing unnecessary personal details on matrimonial and dating platforms
• Monitor permissions granted to government apps that collect sensitive personal or financial data

Also read: How to check if someone else is using your WhatsApp and Log them out quickly

Step 3: Strengthen Financial Privacy with UPI

The rise in UPI transactions—now over 10 billion monthly, has brought an increase in payment-related scams.

Practical steps:

• Create separate UPI IDs for different purposes, such as shopping, utility payments, and peer transfers
• Always verify QR codes at shops or local vendors before scanning
• Review which apps have access to your UPI-linked accounts
• Enable additional verification or password prompts for high-value transactions

Step 4: Use Public Networks carefully

Tests conducted in metro cities revealed that personal data shared over public WiFi can be intercepted within minutes.

To stay protected:

• Use incognito or private browsing modes on shared or public computers
• Consider a basic VPN service to encrypt internet traffic (many offer free Indian servers)
• Avoid making financial transactions while on public networks
• Disable auto-connect to public WiFi networks on mobile devices

Also read: Google’s advancement on the Gemini model family: Flash and pro experimental

Step 5: Understand and use your data rights

Under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, users in India have specific rights:

• Companies must disclose how they collect, store, and use personal data
• Individuals can request copies of the data held about them
• Users have the right to ask for their personal data to be deleted

These rights are enforceable, and complaints can be escalated if companies fail to respond appropriately.

Where to report privacy breaches in India

If there is reason to believe personal data has been misused or exposed:

• Report to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
• Contact local Consumer Protection Councils for assistance
• Use the CERT-In helpdesk for incidents involving data leaks from major platforms

Awareness of these channels is key to ensuring accountability from platforms and services.

As India’s digital infrastructure continues to grow, so does the risk of privacy violations. However, by taking simple, proactive steps, users can greatly improve their online security and reduce the chances of data misuse. This guide offers a foundation for those looking to begin that process without relying on complex tools or technical knowledge.