Artificial Intelligence and the Right to Privacy: Assessing the Adequacy of India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of modern governance, commerce, healthcare, finance, education, and law enforcement. AI systems rely heavily on the collection, processing, and analysis of personal data to generate predictions, automate decisions, and improve efficiency. While AI offers unprecedented opportunities for economic growth and technological advancement, it also poses significant threats to the fundamental right to privacy. In India, the enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act, 2023) marks a major legislative milestone in regulating personal data. However, the growing sophistication of AI raises important legal questions regarding the adequacy of the Act in safeguarding individual privacy. This article critically examines the DPDP Act, 2023 from a legal perspective and evaluates whether it effectively addresses the privacy challenges posed by AI technologies. It concludes that although the Act establishes a comprehensive framework for personal data protection, significant legislative and regulatory gaps remain concerning algorithmic transparency, automated decision-making, biometric surveillance, and accountability.