In this insightful interview, Dr. Damodar Sahu, Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer at Data Safeguard, discusses the future of data privacy, digital transformation, and AI. He shares his expertise on how businesses can effectively navigate data protection challenges, the importance of privacy-enhancing technologies, and Data Safeguard’s role in revolutionizing the industry. Here’s a breakdown of their conversation.
Who is Dr. Damodar Sahu?
Dr. Damodar Sahu is the Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer at Data Safeguard, the most comprehensive AI-powered privacy management platform, helping enterprises seamlessly achieve compliance with global privacy regulations—including the DPDP Act, GDPR, CPRA, HIPAA, and PDPA—while making regulatory adherence efficient, cost-effective, and a true competitive advantage. Dr. Sahu has been instrumental in shaping the company’s vision since its inception. He is also a trusted advisor in the fields of data protection and privacy, guiding businesses through complex regulatory landscapes. Prior to co-founding Data Safeguard, Dr. Sahu held significant roles in digital strategy, AI, and cybersecurity, where he led numerous initiatives for global clients, focusing on innovative data privacy frameworks and security solutions.
Q1: What do you like most about DPDPA?
Damodar: DPDPA is India’s digital awakening to privacy as a fundamental right—not a footnote. What I appreciate most is its intent to balance innovation with individual dignity. It gives citizens the voice and the control they deserve over their personal data while encouraging organizations to rethink data privacy and governance, not as a cost centre but as a trust multiplier.
Q2: What do you hate most about DPDPA?
Damodar: I wouldn’t say “hate,” but the biggest challenge lies in the ambiguity around operational guidelines. Many organizations are unsure how to translate DPDPA’s language into concrete, actionable compliance programs. We need clearer playbooks, more regulator-industry dialogue, and real-time guidance. Without this, good intentions might falter in execution.
Q3: Tell us something about your work in the data privacy space.
Damodar: Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to advise global organizations on digital transformation, SaaS, AI, and data strategy. With Data Safeguard, the mission became deeply personal—to build something India-first. ID-PRIVACY—the only one Enterprise Comprehensive AI-powered Data Privacy Management platform on the market, comprising a suite of products built in India, for India, purpose-designed for DPDPA compliance and beyond. We’re helping enterprises embed privacy into their DNA, automate compliance, and earn user trust at scale. It’s not just about privacy and protection—it’s about ethical, resilient growth.
Q4: What is Data Safeguard, and what core problem does it aim to solve?
Damodar: Data Safeguard is an AI-native privacy management platform company reimagining how organizations handle personal data (PII/PHI/PFI). Our flagship platform, ID-PRIVACY, solves the toughest problems of DPDPA compliance—from consent and purpose limitation to data subject rights and breach response. What sets us apart is that we’re not retrofitting global tools. We’ve built ID-PRIVACY from the ground up for Bharat (India), with zero-code deployment, native AI automation, and localization at its core.
In Built for Bharat. Built to Scale.
ID-PRIVACY has been engineered specifically to meet the nuanced requirements of DPDPA, combining AI intelligence, automation, and zero-code flexibility:
ID-PRIVACY, built on the “Privacy by Design” principle, helps organizations navigate the complexities of Information Privacy, Communication Privacy, and Individual Privacy while eliminating compliance risks and avoiding costly fines.
- Localized Consent and Purpose Management per DPDPA Sections 5, 7, 8
- Real-time Breach Response Automation for timely Data Principal notification
- Automated DPIAs, Audit Logs & Impact Assessments
- Data Localization Compliance with seamless hybrid-cloud integration
- Deployment-ready in 2 weeks, ROI in 4
India’s privacy ecosystem is at a critical inflection point. ID-PRIVACY is not just a compliance tool—it’s a catalyst for future-ready governance, ethical AI, and digital citizenship.”
India’s Presence That Powers India’s Future
With a dedicated R&D Centre in Bhubaneswar and regional development and support across Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune, Data Safeguard is invested in India’s privacy evolution from the ground up. Our teams are building, testing, supporting, and scaling right here—making us the most accessible and locally rooted player in the industry.
No other player offers what ID-PRIVACY offers—a truly comprehensive, AI-first, zero-code privacy platform ready for DPDPA, HIPAA, GDPR, and beyond. We’re not retrofitting foreign tech. We’re engineering India’s digital privacy foundation from scratch.”
Unmatched Platform, Unparalleled Reach
ID-PRIVACY is the first unified privacy suite that seamlessly integrates:
- Consent, Preference and Cookie Lifecycle Management
- Data Discovery, Mapping, Classification and Redaction
- Data Principal Rights Automation (DPAR)
- Risk Monitoring & Breach Notification
- Third-Party & Cross-Border Data Governance
- AI-powered Privacy Copilot for CXOs & DPOs
In a digital-first Bharat, privacy cannot be optional or complex. We simplify it, automate it, and future-proof it—while enabling trust at scale.
Q5: As the Chief Growth Officer, what role do you see Data Safeguard playing in shaping the future of data privacy and protection?
Damodar: We’re not just building platforms — we’re shaping the ecosystem. From Bhubaneswar to Bengaluru, our teams are developing platforms that align with India’s digital fabric. With ID-PRIVACY, we aim to be the trusted enabler for enterprises and startups alike—scaling trust, reducing compliance burden, and fostering responsible innovation.
Q6: What advice would you offer to organizations striving to achieve and maintain compliance with the DPDPA?
Damodar: Start with design, not defense. Build for “Privacy by Design” from the very beginning. Appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) early on to guide your compliance efforts. Map your data flow to understand where sensitive information is stored and processed. Automate processes wherever possible to reduce human error and improve efficiency. Most importantly, view compliance not just as a legal requirement but as the foundation for building user trust. When organizations shift their mindset in this way, compliance becomes a value-driven asset, not just a regulatory obligation. This approach can make a significant difference in long-term success.
Q7: How is DPDPA different from global data protection frameworks like GDPR or CCPA/CPRA?
Damodar: DPDPA is contextualized for India’s scale, diversity, and digital aspirations. It focuses on simplicity, consent, purpose limitation, and graded penalties, while allowing flexibility for startups and the government. While GDPR is rights-heavy and CCPA/CPRA leans commercial, DPDPA is a balanced model focused on trust, digital empowerment, and inclusive governance.
Q8: Do you believe Indian businesses are prepared to take action under the DPDPA? What gaps do you observe?
Damodar: Large enterprises are gearing up, but SMEs and startups need support—templates, sandboxes, affordable tooling. Many are still unaware of their obligations. We need a national awareness campaign and ecosystem support—from industry bodies, legal experts, and platforms like Concur. This will ensure they have the necessary resources to navigate compliance challenges. By providing the right guidance, we can help them integrate data privacy practices seamlessly into their operations.
Q9: What are some best practices that Data Safeguard follows to maintain high standards of data privacy and security?
Damodar: We embed privacy into every line of code. Our principles include:
- Regulatory agility—staying ahead of DPDPA, GDPR, HIPAA, and other laws
- AI with accountability (via explainable AI)
- Minimal data use (purpose-bound architecture)
- Zero-trust security
- Continuous risk monitoring
Q10: What are the common pitfalls companies should avoid when implementing a data protection compliance framework?
Damodar: To ensure effective compliance, avoid these common pitfalls:
- Viewing compliance as a “project” instead of a “program”
- Over-relying on manual processes
- Delaying breach response planning
- Underestimating the complexity of consent lifecycle
- Forgetting to engage users—they’re not just subjects, they’re stakeholders
“India’s privacy ecosystem is at a critical inflection point, ID-PRIVACY is not just a compliance tool—it’s a catalyst for future-ready governance, ethical AI, and digital citizenship.” – Dr. Damodar Sahu
Dr. Damodar Sahu’s interview underscores the importance of proactive data privacy practices and the pivotal role Data Safeguard is playing in shaping the future of data protection in India. With a focus on trust, innovation, and regulatory agility, Data Safeguard is not just helping businesses comply but also driving the digital transformation for a privacy-conscious future.
