Chapter 8: Manner of Nominating Another Individual

Nomination procedures for data rights

chapter · 2 min read · Updated 14-Feb-2026 · 8 of 14

Executive Summary

•Digital assets are assets. Just like you nominate someone for your bank account, you can nominate someone to handle your digital data rights in case of death or incapacity.

Institutional Impact

•Published mechanism: Define the means and identifying particulars a Data Principal uses to nominate one or more individuals.
•Terms and applicable law: Align the nomination process with your terms of service and any other law that applies.
•Authority checks: Before acting on a nomination, verify the nomination and the circumstances in which the nominee may exercise the Data Principal's rights.

Data Principal Rights

•Legacy Planning: Ensure your emails, photos, or accounts are handled (or deleted) according to your wishes after you're gone.

Practical application

What this looks like in practice

Use these examples to distinguish a defensible process from a common mistake.

Right

✓A service lets a Data Principal nominate another individual and verifies the relevant event before granting access.

Incorrect

×A business hands over an account to a person who claims to be a nominee without checking the nomination or evidence.

Official Reference & Scope

•Section 14: Nomination
•Rule 14(4): Request mechanism for nomination

Establishes how Data Principals can nominate others to exercise their rights.

Nomination process: How to designate a nominee
Nominee rights: What rights the nominee can exercise
Verification: Confirming nominee authority
Revocation: Canceling or changing nominations

The notified Rules do not prescribe a standalone “manner of nomination” rule or mandate a specific profile-screen design. Nomination is addressed in rule 14(4) as part of the broader rights-request mechanism.

Primary sources: section 14 of the DPDP Act and rule 14(4) of the DPDP Rules.

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Chapter 7: Retention and Erasure Next: Chapter 9: Grievance Redressal Mechanism