The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), the apex industry body for online gaming in India, has submitted its comments and recommendations to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) with regards to the Draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 (DPDP Rules). As the oldest and most diverse federation in the online gaming sector, AIGF’s emphasized the need for a balanced and practical regulatory framework that fosters innovation while ensuring data privacy and security for over 40 crore Digital Nagriks.
The recommendations aimed to enhance clarity and compliance feasibility for online gaming platforms, which represent a combined valuation of over USD 10 billion. AIGF also proposed revisions focused on safeguarding user data without imposing disproportionate compliance burdens on businesses, particularly the emerging MSME gaming startup sector.
Key Recommendations Submitted by AIGF were the following:
1. Security Safeguards (Rule 6): Revising Rule 6(1)(a) to allow Data Fiduciaries the flexibility to adopt ‘appropriate measures’ rather than mandating ‘reasonable measures’. This recommendation emphasizes enabling businesses to choose security mechanisms best suited to their operational structures without facing undue financial or operational strain.
2. Personal Data Breach Reporting (Rule 7): Introducing a materiality threshold for reporting data breaches to the Data Protection Board (DPB) and adopting a staggered reporting approach. This would prevent unnecessary alarm while ensuring a structured and effective reporting framework.
3. Intimation to Affected Users (Rule 7): Modifying Rule 7(1) to include a materiality threshold for notifying affected users in case of data breaches. The recommendation suggests a phased approach to user notifications, allowing Data Fiduciaries adequate time to assess and compile accurate information before reaching out to users.
4. Retention Timelines (Rule 8): Clarity on the application of user-base thresholds, particularly for online gaming intermediaries managing multiple platforms. This request aims to simplify compliance for platforms exceeding 50 lakh registered users.
Commenting on the recommendations, Roland Landers, CEO of AIGF, stated: “The DPDP Act and Rules are a significant regulatory development that will require substantial operational changes for businesses. We appreciate the consultative approach taken in shaping these regulations and look forward to actively participating in the stakeholder engagement process. AIGF remains committed to working collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition, support our members in navigating these changes, and help shape a regulatory framework that balances data protection with the sustainable growth of India’s gaming ecosystem.”
About The All India Gaming Federation
The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) is the apex industry body for online gaming in India, representing over 120 members across all gaming formats, including most of the country’s emerging and MSME gaming startups. With a combined user base of over 40 crore digital Nagriks across its members and a total member valuation exceeding $10 billion, AIGF is the largest and most diverse industry association in the sector. As the oldest federation for online gaming and the collective voice of the industry, AIGF is committed to fostering a secure, fair, and responsible gaming ecosystem while driving progressive policies that promote innovation, trust, and user welfare.
With a strong focus on “Make in India, for the World”, AIGF aims to make gaming a cornerstone of Digital India and a key driver of the $1 trillion digital economy, fueling employment, technological innovation, and economic expansion. By positioning gaming as a vital pillar of the nation’s digital transformation, AIGF is working to establish India as a global leader in the gaming industry.
, the apex industry body for online gaming in India, has submitted){kind=link}