View | Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023: A step towards bridging the digital divide

This is a major challenge, with the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed stating that the digital divide has the potential to be the "new face of inequality".

In my opinion, one of the primary reasons for the growing digital divide in India is the limited use of languages apart from English. According to the last Census done in 2011, only approximately 10.6 percent of Indians spoke English. While this figure may have improved a bit since, there is clearly a case for multilingualism to bridge the digital divide, combined with concerted measures to build a multilingual digital ecosystem in the country.

The enforcement of multi-language options in the areas of consent and notice in the recently passed Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, is a significant move towards mainstreaming multilingualism across digital platforms.

The act states that every request for consent under its provisions or rules made thereunder shall be presented to the data principal (owner of personal data, people like you and me) in clear and plain language, giving one the option to access such a request in English or any of the 22 languages specified in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. Requests made to a data principal for obtaining consent shall be accompanied or preceded by a notice given by the data fiduciary to the data principal, informing them about:

The personal data and the purpose for which the same is proposed to be processed.

The manner in which they may exercise their rights

The manner in which the data principal may make a complaint to the Board, in such manner and as may be prescribed.

Data principals have the choice to opt for English or any of the 22 languages specified in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution.

Not only is this provision path-breaking, but also presents many opportunities for individuals and businesses alike.

Offering multi-language options can promote inclusivity and accessibility, allowing more people in India to access information as well as services. Many countries have implemented multi-language options to promote inclusivity and accessibility. For instance, countries like Canada, Switzerland and Singapore have embraced multiple languages due to their diverse populations. This can help bridge linguistic barriers and foster a more progressive and diverse society. Close to home, UPI, which gives users the option to receive voice messages and alerts in one’s preferred language, is one example of digital empowerment. Such innovations can help in bridging the digital gap and bring about a paradigm shift in the way businesses function.

Localisation is the way to go for businesses. A multilingual approach can help businesses expand market reach, attract a wider customer base, and facilitate business transactions. It can build credibility and thereby build brand loyalty.

Some sectors will benefit from it more than others — for instance, e-commerce, a market that is expected to reach $111 billion by 2024 and $200 billion by 2026, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation. The rural Indian market is critical to this projected growth of e-commerce in India and is also significant from the standpoint of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Using language to enable rural consumers to make more informed decisions and further build their confidence is imperative.

Effective communication is key to building trust, and communication can be effective only if the audience can comprehend it. If people don’t understand English, they need to be communicated with in their preferred language.

In today’s world, such digital inclusivity is a significant step toward social inclusivity and equity. Initiating a discourse around creating a robust digital communication roadmap for all citizens of the country, in their language of choice, should be a priority. It is heartening to see some concrete measures being taken to build a multilingual economy so that India can harness its linguistic dividend.