PhysicsWallah's new "PW Games" app, targeting 3rd-10th graders, collects personal data while "assuming" parental consent. This directly contradicts Rule 10 of India's upcoming Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025. Edtech platforms now face increased scrutiny over how they handle verifiable consent for millions of minor users.
How We Got Here
The upcoming DPDP Rules, 2025, specifically Rule 10, mandate verifiable parental consent for collecting data from minors. These rules specify data fiduciaries must confirm adult identity via government IDs like Aadhaar or DigiLocker.
The Numbers
- PW Games' privacy policy states it "assumes" consent if a user is under 18, without seeking explicit confirmation from a parent or legal guardian.
- The app collects user names, emails, phone numbers, profile pictures, age, educational interests, along with usage data like IP address and game progress.
- Malcolm Gomes, COO at IDfy, states PW's policy "does exactly the opposite" of DPDP Rules by placing no obligation to verify the consenting person.
- A lawyer, preferring anonymity, noted edtech firms targeting minors, like PW Games, require increased scrutiny under the DPDPA.
- The PW Games Pro subscription costs ₹299/month, unlocking 50+ learning games and 12,000+ thinking and mental ability questions.
What Happens Next
🇮🇳 Why This Matters for India
For founders building edtech products in Pune and Chennai, the legal clarity around verifiable consent for minors will directly impact user acquisition funnels and product roadmaps.
The Take
Verifying an adult's identity via Aadhaar only solves half the problem; the real challenge lies in proving that adult is the parent of the specific minor user. This significant gap in the DPDP Rules, 2025 creates a massive grey area for all edtech platforms.
Source:
MediaNama ↗