Can AICS do a first DPDP readiness review without customer data?

Yes. The first review should use redacted screenshots, field lists, policy drafts, tool names, workflow notes and owner interviews. Passwords, secrets, production exports, payment records, health records and sensitive personal data should not be shared for the initial diagnostic.

Is this page a DPDP legal opinion or compliance certificate?

No. This is an operational readiness checklist and synthetic evidence template. It is not legal advice, a compliance certificate, an audit opinion or proof that any business complies with the DPDP Act.

DPDP Compliance Checklist for Small Businesses in India

Truth boundary: this is a synthetic buyer-education and readiness asset. It is not legal advice, compliance certification, regulator approval, a client case study or a claim that any business is DPDP compliant.

Quick answer for owners

Before automating WhatsApp follow-up, CRM routing, chatbot replies or lead capture, an Indian SMB should know what customer data is collected, why it is collected, where consent or notice appears, who can access it, which vendors touch it, how customer requests are handled and what evidence can be reviewed without exposing sensitive data.

Owner evidence map

Six checks before tool spend

Forms

1. Data collection map

List every website form, landing page, booking form, WhatsApp entry point, call note and spreadsheet where customer data appears.

Consent

2. Purpose and message type

Separate service follow-up from promotional messages. Record purpose, opt-out route, retention owner and source of consent or notice.

Access

3. User and export review

Identify who can view, download, forward or delete customer records in CRM, WhatsApp tools, email, spreadsheets and agency accounts.

Vendors

4. Tool and agency register

Track CRM, chatbot, website plugins, analytics, ad platforms, booking tools, payment tools and agencies that touch customer data.

Requests

5. Customer request route

Assign an owner and simple log for deletion, correction, complaint, unsubscribe and privacy questions before automation scales the volume.

Evidence

6. Redacted first review

Use redacted screenshots, field lists, policy drafts and workflow notes first. Do not share passwords, secrets or production exports.

What to bring to a no-credentials review

Safe to share first

Website URLs and form field names.
Tool names: WhatsApp, CRM, booking, chatbot, email and analytics.
Redacted screenshots of workflow steps.
Privacy notice, consent copy and unsubscribe wording drafts.
Owner names for sales, support, admin and vendor access.

Do not share in the first review

Passwords, API keys, OTPs or admin sessions.
Customer, patient, financial or child data exports.
Unredacted WhatsApp chats, call recordings or payment records.
Legal notices that need lawyer approval before use.
Any claim that needs regulator, auditor or counsel sign-off.

How this helps vendor selection

The checklist lets owners compare privacy consultants, CRM vendors, WhatsApp automation tools, chatbot agencies, digital marketers and AICS on one practical question: who can show the owner evidence layer before requesting access or making strong compliance claims?

Related AICS routes

DPDP Compliance Consulting

Operational readiness, evidence registers and owner handoff for Indian businesses handling customer data.

Clinic/lab DPDP WhatsApp evidence

Healthcare-specific no-patient-data checklist for missed calls, report pickup and WhatsApp follow-up.

DPDP readiness assessment

Use the assessment as a structured starting point before tool access, spend or legal review.

Claim boundary: no real client, customer, patient, personal data, credentials, production export, testimonial, certification, partner proof, legal advice, DPDP compliance proof, ranking, demand, lead, customer, revenue, savings or ROI claim is made.