Privacy guide

What to do if a company ignores your data request.

A practical guide for Indian users when a company ignores your data access or deletion request: how to follow up, escalate and keep evidence.

The simple answer

If you asked a company for your data or for deletion and got silence, the first move is a clear, dated follow-up to the grievance or privacy contact. Reference your original request and ask for a response by a reasonable date.

Silence is itself useful evidence. Keep every message, screenshot the policy and contact details, and build a short timeline so you can escalate later if needed.

What to check

1
Resend to the grievance or privacy contact.

If this is unclear, treat it as a signal to ask the company for a plain-English explanation.

2
Reference your original request and date.

If this is unclear, treat it as a signal to ask the company for a plain-English explanation.

3
Keep proof of every message.

If this is unclear, treat it as a signal to ask the company for a plain-English explanation.

4
Note response deadlines and silence.

If this is unclear, treat it as a signal to ask the company for a plain-English explanation.

5
Build a short timeline of events.

If this is unclear, treat it as a signal to ask the company for a plain-English explanation.

From our investigation

Silence is part of the evidence.

State of Privacy is built around evidence because a right is only useful if a company acts on it. A documented non-response is a strong starting point for escalation.

What to do next

1
Send one firm, polite follow-up.

Keep it practical: take one action, save proof, and avoid giving more data than the task needs.

2
Preserve all proof and a timeline.

Keep it practical: take one action, save proof, and avoid giving more data than the task needs.

3
Escalate through formal routes when they are available and appropriate.

Keep it practical: take one action, save proof, and avoid giving more data than the task needs.

People also ask

What if a company never replies?

Send a dated follow-up, keep proof of the silence and prepare to escalate through formal routes when available.

How long should I wait?

Give a reasonable, clearly stated window in your follow-up, then treat continued silence as escalation-worthy.

What evidence matters most?

Your original request, dates, the company contact details and proof that you received no proper response.

If you are a company
Check your own website.

How many trackers run on your pages? Does your privacy policy name them? Can you answer a data-rights email? If you don't know, we can help you find out.

Talk to Meridian Bridge Strategy →
Your right under Indian law
Mera data mera hai.

Your personal data belongs to you. Under DPDP, every company must tell you what they have and delete it if you ask. One email is all it takes.

Get the template email →
Read the full investigation.

We investigated 107 Indian company websites. The public report shows what we found.

Read the reportTry the experience