Websites Selling CUET and NEET Student Data Raise Privacy Concerns Amid DPDP Act Rollout
Several websites are reportedly selling personal data of students who appeared for national exams like CUET and NEET, raising privacy concerns amid the phased implementation of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act. These sites offer databases containing sensitive details such as names, contact information, and demographic data to universities and admission consultants for outreach, with prices ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000. The practice conflicts with DPDP Act provisions, which mandate consent and purpose-specific data use, though key compliance rules take effect in May 2027.
First-hand measurement across 2 sources
We measured how 2 outlets covered this story. Coverage leans balanced overall (Left 5%, Centre 93%, Right 2%). Overall sentiment is negative (32/100). Lens Score 33/100 — low public interest.
Outlets analysed (first-hand measurement by TBN's Bias Engine):
- timesnow— balanced framing, negative sentiment
- hindustantimes— balanced framing, neutral sentiment
AI Analysis
The articles present a largely neutral perspective focusing on the factual issue of student data being sold online. They highlight concerns related to privacy and legal compliance without attributing blame to specific political entities. The coverage reflects regulatory and consumer protection viewpoints, emphasizing the implications of the DPDP Act without partisan framing.
The overall tone is cautionary and concerned, emphasizing potential privacy violations and legal conflicts. While the articles do not express overt negativity, they underscore risks and regulatory challenges, resulting in a predominantly serious and alert sentiment regarding data protection and student privacy.
How 2 sources covered this story
Each source's own headline, political lean, and sentiment — so you can see framing differences at a glance.