As the world observes Data Privacy Day 2025, the conversation around data privacy, security, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) has never been more critical.
With the rapid growth of technology, particularly of AI, businesses and individuals alike are grappling with the dual challenges of harnessing data for innovation while ensuring its protection.
Industry leaders across the sectors are looking for robust governance, transparency and proactive measures to safeguard sensitive information in an increasingly data-driven world.
Varun Babbar, Managing Director – India & SAARC, Qlik, points out the transformative potential of Agentic AI, which can independently handle complex tasks and adapt to feedback. However, he says that its responsible use is paramount.
“Agentic AI can transform productivity by handling complex tasks independently and adapting to feedback, but its responsible use is essential – making data privacy crucial for building trust,” Babbar says.
Emphasising that the effectiveness of AI hinges on the quality of its data, making strong governance and data quality vital, he adds, “Responsible data handling doesn’t just build trust—it unlocks AI’s full potential.”
Data privacy is not just a compliance requirement
Babbar also draws attention to the challenges that come with the evolution of Agentic AI, such as skill gaps, fragmented governance, and the need for real-time data processing. To address these, businesses must invest in upskilling their teams, implementing robust governance frameworks, and building secure data pipelines. He also stresses the importance of local cloud regions in enhancing data security and compliance, particularly in safeguarding sensitive information.
With Gartner predicting that 40% of enterprise AI assets will be traded through marketplaces by 2028, Babbar calls for a renewed commitment to privacy and authenticity. “On Data Privacy Day, let’s commit to safeguarding data, building trust, and embracing the Agentic Systems Era, where intelligent agents create new opportunities for growth,” he says.
Bill Draper, Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, Virtusa, echoes the sentiment that data privacy is not just a compliance requirement but a cornerstone of innovation.
“As we mark Data Privacy Day 2025, we recognise the power of data and the responsibility that comes with it,” Draper says. He adds that organisations must go beyond merely storing data and focus on extracting actionable insights while keeping privacy principles at the core.
Draper advocates for a strong data strategy that nurtures a data-centric culture, prioritising privacy, security, and sustainable growth. “A strong data strategy goes beyond selecting the right platform—it nurtures a data-centric culture that prioritises privacy, security and sustainable growth,” he explains.
Ripu Bajwa, Director of Sales and General Manager of Data Protection and Unstructured Data Solutions, Dell Technologies India, warns of the escalating threats in the AI age.
“Protecting data from malicious actors is more critical than ever in the AI age,” Bajwa says, adding that the rise of advanced ransomware, malware, and deepfake attacks, with threats like data poisoning, privacy breaches, and social engineering becoming increasingly common.
Bajwa stresses the importance of safeguarding AI training data, models, and configurations, as well as modern workloads like Kubernetes volumes and PostgreSQL.
“Data Privacy Day serves as a reminder to prioritise personal information protection in an AI-driven world, adopt better data practices, and mitigate risks to ensure digital security,” he adds.
Stating that data privacy is a fundamental pillar of trust, Sandeep Bhambure, Vice President and Managing Director of India & SAARC, Veeam Software, says, “As we observe Data Privacy Day, it is important to acknowledge that data privacy is not just a compliance issue, it is a fundamental pillar of trust.”
Underlining the staggering scale of cyber threats, with over 369 million security incidents detected across 8.44 million endpoints, equating to 702 potential threats every minute, Bhambure calls for a proactive approach to fortify security systems and build resilience against cyber threats.
He recommends measures such as data encryption, access controls, and real-time tracking to detect vulnerabilities. “Let’s use this day as a reminder to prioritise data protection, refine privacy practices, and cultivate a security-first mindset to safeguard sensitive information and stay ahead of the growing volume of cyber threats,” he stresses.
Importance of digital trust
Anant Deshpande, Regional Vice President of India & ASEAN, DigiCert, draws attention to the importance of securing sensitive data in digital landscape. “In today’s digital landscape, securing sensitive data is essential for innovation and success,” Deshpande says, adding that there is growing complexity of cyber threats in India, with businesses facing an average of 3,291 cyberattacks per week in the last six months.
“On Data Privacy Day, we emphasise the importance of Digital Trust in fostering a secure, innovative future,” he adds, urging organisations to go beyond traditional defences to combat AI-driven attacks and Infostealer threats.
Jay Swamidass, Vice President and Global Head of Sales, Rakuten SixthSense, views data privacy as a moral obligation. “Data privacy isn’t just a compliance tick box but a moral obligation,” Swamidass states.
He calls for businesses to take stock of their data handling practices, system security, and decision-making processes to ensure they respect the rights of individuals and organisations.
Swamidass says that privacy is not a matter of chance but the result of deliberate efforts to create strong systems, foster accountability, and cultivate a culture where privacy matters at every level.
“Privacy is the trust that people place in us. Every piece of data represents a person, and when someone shares their information with us, they’re putting their trust in our hands,” he explains, urging businesses to recommit to transparency, security, and respect.
India’s progress and challenges in data privacy
Rohan Vaidya, Area Vice President of SAARC & India at CyberArk, acknowledges India’s progress in data privacy, particularly with the introduction of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act.
“India has made significant progress, notably with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, which establishes robust frameworks for securing data privacy,” Vaidya says. However, he notes that formidable challenges remain, calling for shared responsibility between individuals and organisations to protect data privacy.
Vaidya points out the importance of identity security in minimising risks and preventing breaches. “As human and machine identities continue to proliferate, data privacy is no longer just a policy, it’s a principle we should all abide by,” he explains.
According to Vaidya, there is need for encryption, restricted access, and automated systems that respect privacy rights, concluding that trust is paramount in the digital age.
As Data Privacy Day 2025 draws attention to the critical importance of data protection, industry leaders are united in their call for responsible data handling, robust governance, and proactive measures to combat cyber threats.
With growing technological advancements and the influence of AI, safeguarding data privacy is not just a compliance requirement but a moral and strategic imperative, say the industry leaders.
