Indian pharma commercial data continue to be sold, companies must use DPDP Act to protect themselves

[Pune, India] – [3rd June 2026] – India's pharmaceutical manufacturing industry must take urgent and decisive action using the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act to stop foreign data companies, such as QYOBO, from undermining the competitive edge of Indian pharmaceutical exporters.

It has come to light that foreign intelligence platforms, including Munich-based Qyobo GmbH, are continuing to publish and commercially sell highly confidential, transaction-level Indian customs export data. This unauthorized disclosure includes critical business intelligence such as exporter identities, detailed product descriptions, shipment quantities, values, and established customer relationships. Access to this data is being sold to pharmaceutical buyers, global competitors, and investors worldwide.

Alarmingly, these platforms frequently utilize this exposed data to suggest non-Indian manufacturing alternatives, particularly in China and other markets, actively diverting business away from Indian enterprises.

This widespread commercial publication allows foreign entities to map the complete supply chains of Indian exporters, benchmark pricing, identify and target established customer relationships, and assess market share — all without the knowledge or consent of the Indian exporters.

The Legal Imperative: DPDP Act and Customs Act

The continued exploitation of this data is a severe violation of Indian law. Under Section 135AA of the Customs Act, 1962, it is a criminal offense to publish information furnished to customs without the specific authorization of the exporter. No such authorization has been granted by Indian exporters to foreign data platforms like QYOBO.

Furthermore, the implementation of India's Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act provides a powerful new mechanism for the industry to fight back against the unauthorized processing and sharing of associated corporate and personnel data. The Indian pharmaceutical sector must now leverage the DPDP Act, alongside the GDPR's Article 17 "Right to Erasure" against European entities, to legally force the immediate removal of their confidential trade data.

A Call to Action for the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry

This predatory data exploitation is directly undermining the competitive position of Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers in international trade negotiations and global business development.

We are issuing an urgent call to action to all Indian pharmaceutical companies:

Demand Immediate Data Removal: Formally request that your company’s data be permanently erased from foreign data intelligence platforms like QYOBO, invoking your rights under the DPDP Act and GDPR.

Mobilize Through Pharmexcil: We call on all affected companies to urgently contact the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil). We urge members to demand that Pharmexcil make a strong, unified public statement compelling QYOBO and similar entities to comply with Indian law and cease the unauthorized sale of Indian customs data.

The industry can no longer afford to remain passive while its confidential trade secrets are packaged and sold to global competitors. Indian pharma must stand united, utilize the legal protections afforded by the DPDP Act, and demand that organizations like Pharmexcil take immediate enforcement action to protect the future of India's pharmaceutical exports.