The boxes Indian websites tick for you

2027-01-19

You apply for a loan quote, compare car insurance or ask about a flat. A day later the calls start. Often the reason is a small box near the submit button that was already ticked: "I agree to receive offers by call, SMS and WhatsApp", sometimes with "even if my number is registered on DND".

What these boxes usually say

• Marketing: "Keep me posted on offers and new launches."
• Data sharing: "Share my details with partner lenders and insurers."
• DND override: "Contact me even if I am registered on the National Customer Preference Register."

They are easy to miss because they sit below the form, in small text, already ticked.

What the law expects

Under section 6 of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (full text on India Code), consent has to be free, specific, informed, unconditional and unambiguous, with a clear affirmative action. A box that someone else ticked for you is hard to square with that. Most of the Act's rights and duties apply from 13 May 2027.

What you can do today

1. Look for ticked boxes before you press submit, especially on loan, insurance and property forms.
2. Register your preferences on the TRAI DND app or by calling 1909.
3. Install Form Shield, which unticks marketing, data-sharing and DND-override boxes for you and tells you when it does. It leaves the terms box and order updates alone, and you can tick anything back.

Fewer calls start with not saying yes by accident.