📘 Chapter III – Rights and Duties of Data Principal
Friendly guide to your digital rights and responsibilities | itinsite.in | Kauhal
In the digital era, personal data travels faster and wider than ever before. From social media to online shopping, our data is constantly being collected, processed, shared, and stored. But do you know what rights you have as a Data Principal? More importantly, do you know what responsibilities come with those rights?
This is where Chapter III – Rights and Duties of Data Principal steps in. It’s not just legalese — it’s about empowering you to take control of your personal information.
In this blog, we’ll explore key rights such as:
- Right to access information about personal data
- Right to correction and erasure of personal data
- Right of grievance redressal
- Right to nominate
And we’ll break down the Duties of Data Principal in easy-to-understand language.
Whether you’re a professional, student, or everyday internet user, this guide will help you exercise your rights confidently and responsibly.
Let’s dive in! 🚀
🧠 Section 1: What Does “Data Principal” Mean?
In simple terms, a Data Principal is you — the person whose data is being collected or processed. But being the subject of data isn’t just about having information stored somewhere. You have a voice, rights, and duties.
Have you ever wondered:
- Can you ask a company what they know about you?
- Can you request deletion of your data?
- What recourse do you have if something goes wrong?
Yes — and that’s exactly what this chapter covers.
📌 For a deeper legal context, you can visit the official Data Protection Authority website — a trusted resource for understanding personal data laws worldwide. (DoFollow)
👉 https://www.dataprotectionauthority.org
📍 Section 2: ⭐ Right to Access Information About Personal Data
Imagine this: You sign up for a service, and suddenly there’s a profile of you you never even knew existed. Scary, right?
That’s where the Right to access information about personal data comes in.
🤔 What Does This Right Let You Do?
You can request what information an organization holds about you, including:
- What data they store
- How they use it
- Who they share it with
- For how long they keep it
This transparency ensures companies are accountable and you stay informed.
💡 Real-Life Example
Priya signed up for a fitness app. After some time, she realized she was receiving emails from advertisers she never subscribed to. She invoked her Right to access information about personal data and asked the app to provide her stored data. The company had to disclose:
- Her activity history
- Email address list she was part of
- Third parties who received her info
By knowing this, Priya corrected her email settings and withdrew consent.
💡 Tip: Always document your request in writing and keep proof of submission!
🔄 Section 3: ⭐ Right to Correction and Erasure of Personal Data
Not all data about you is accurate — and you shouldn’t have to live with misinformation.
This brings us to the Right to correction and erasure of personal data — sometimes known as the “right to be forgotten.”
✏️ Correction
If there’s incorrect or outdated information about you, you can request that it be corrected.
For example:
- Wrong address
- Incorrect job title
- Old phone number
🗑️ Erasure
You can ask a data controller to delete your data under certain conditions, such as:
- The data is no longer necessary
- You withdraw consent
- The data was unlawfully processed
This doesn’t mean all data is deleted instantly — there are legal exceptions.
📘 Helpful Resource:
Learn more about your correction and erasure rights from the European Data Protection Board — (DoFollow)
👉 https://edpb.europa.eu
🔎 Practical Tip
If you change your name or contact details, don’t wait! Submit a correction request to ensure accuracy across platforms. This reduces risks of identity errors and mismatches in future services.
🛠️ Section 4: ⭐ Right of Grievance Redressal
Despite your rights, things can go wrong. Maybe your data was misused, or a company failed to respond to your correction request. That’s where the Right of grievance redressal becomes essential.
🧾 What is Grievance Redressal?
This right allows you to:
- File a complaint with the concerned authority or data controller
- Seek investigation into misuse
- Demand corrective action
You aren’t alone — there’s a process and support for you.
🧑⚖️ How It Works (Step-by-Step)
- Identify the issue: Is your complaint about misuse, delay in response, or violation?
- Submit a written grievance to the data controller.
- Follow up if no response within the stipulated time.
- Escalate to supervisory authority if unresolved.
Many regions also provide online portals to file complaints directly — so keep those links handy!
💡 Tip: Always keep copies of all correspondence. This helps if you need to escalate your grievance.
👪 Section 5: ⭐ Right to Nominate
What happens to your data after you’re gone? Who manages it?
Enter the Right to nominate — a unique yet powerful right often overlooked.
🧑🗳️ What Does It Mean?
You can nominate someone — a trusted person — to:
- Manage your digital profile
- Access your data
- Make decisions on your behalf
This is especially useful for:
- Social media accounts
- Financial platforms
- Emergency contacts
📌 Example Scenario
Rahul nominated his sister to manage his health portal data if he ever became incapacitated. When he was hospitalized, she could access necessary information promptly.
💡 Recommendation: Always choose someone you trust — and ensure they understand your digital preferences.
🤝 Section 6: ⭐ Duties of Data Principal
While rights are empowering, so are responsibilities. Your Duties of Data Principal are just as important.
Let’s explore what they are and how they help maintain a safe and transparent data environment.
🔒 Duty 1: Provide Accurate Information
When you share personal details, make sure they are:
- Correct
- Up-to-date
- Truthful
This helps companies process your data lawfully and reduces errors.
🔐 Duty 2: Protect Your Credentials
Your username, passwords, and authentication details are your keys to the digital world. Protect them like you would your wallet!
💡 Quick Tip: Use a password manager and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) everywhere possible.
📜 Duty 3: Understand Terms & Consent
Before clicking “Agree,” read privacy policies!
Yes, it’s long — but it helps you know:
- What you’re consenting to
- Data sharing policies
- Usage terms
If something is unclear, ask questions or seek clarification.
🗣️ Duty 4: Exercise Your Rights Respectfully
When asserting your rights:
- Be clear
- Be formal
- Be patient
Treat data controllers with respect, and you’re more likely to receive timely responses.
📌 Section 7: Connect Your Rights with Global Standards
Your rights as a Data Principal align with international data protection laws like:
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) — EU’s fundamental privacy law
- Data Protection Act in many countries
- Consumer Privacy Acts implemented worldwide
Understanding these can help you exercise your Right to access information about personal data, Right to correction and erasure of personal data, and other rights more effectively.
👉 For global insights, visit the official GDPR portal: https://gdpr.eu
💡 Practical Tips for Everyday Data Protection
Here are some helpful tips you can apply today:
🛡️ Tip 1: Regularly Review Privacy Settings
Go through your social media and app settings monthly to control who sees your data.
📧 Tip 2: Use Dedicated Email Accounts
Maintain different email accounts for:
- Work
- Personal communications
- Subscriptions
This reduces cross-platform tracking.
♻️ Tip 3: Delete Old Accounts
If you’re not using a service, request deletion using your Right to correction and erasure of personal data.
📝 Tip 4: Maintain a Data Log
Keep a simple spreadsheet of:
- What personal data you’ve shared
- Where you shared it
- When you last reviewed it
This makes exercising your rights easier.
❤️ Final Thoughts: You Are in Control
Chapter III – Rights and Duties of Data Principal isn’t just about legal terms — it’s about empowerment, clarity, and confidence. When you know:
✔ What you can ask for
✔ How to fix data errors
✔ How to resolve issues
✔ Who manages your data
…you’re taking active control of your digital life.
Always remember:
Your Right to access information about personal data, Right to correction and erasure of personal data, Right of grievance redressal, Right to nominate, and your Duties of Data Principal are tools — not obstacles.
Use them wisely. Stay informed. Stay protected. 🌟
📎 For further reading
- How to Submit a Data Access Request — https://itiniste.in/data-access
- Understanding Data Privacy Compliance — https://itiniste.in/privacy-compliance
