Serving Privacy on a Platter: Zomato’s Data Move Leaves Customers Uneasy

The controversy explained  

Zomato, in advanced talks with the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), is piloting an opt-in consent feature that would allow restaurants to access customer contact details. The company argues this will help eateries refine marketing strategies and improve customer engagement. However, political leaders and industry experts have raised alarms, citing risks of unsolicited calls, data misuse, and violation of consumer trust. The debate reflects the tension between business interests and consumer privacy, especially under India’s new Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act.  

 

Notable updates  

* Zomato plans to end “data masking” by sharing customer phone numbers with restaurants  

* NRAI supports the move, citing better customer engagement and marketing efficiency  

* Critics, including Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora and expert Suhel Seth, call it a privacy risk  

* Opt-in consent prompts are being tested to comply with DPDP rules  

* Concerns remain over spam, misuse, and lack of clear safeguards  

 

Zomato’s proposal highlights the growing clash between digital convenience and consumer privacy, underscoring the urgent need for transparent safeguards and regulatory clarity in India’s food-tech ecosystem.  

 

Sources: Business Today, Outlook Business, News18, The Federal