Lesson 8.3: Behavioural monitoring and ad targeting
The hard prohibition: do not track children for ads. This DPDPA 2023 course page explains behavioural monitoring and ad targeting in plain language.
'%2F%3E%3Ccircle%20cx%3D'650'%20cy%3D'15'%20r%3D'62'%20fill%3D'%2314b8a6'%20opacity%3D'.35'%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D'28'%20y%3D'54'%20font-family%3D'Poppins%2CArial%2Csans-serif'%20font-size%3D'26'%20font-weight%3D'800'%20fill%3D'white'%3EDPDPA%202023%20COURSE%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
What you will learn about behavioural monitoring and ad targeting
- Define tracking and monitoring
- Switch off ad tech for minors
- Check third-party tools
What is banned (behavioural monitoring and ad targeting)
Tracking, behavioural monitoring and targeted advertising directed at children are not allowed, subject to listed exemptions. Third-party analytics and advertising SDKs are common ways firms break the rule by accident.
Audit steps
Select a numbered box to read more.
Child-safe defaults (behavioural monitoring and ad targeting)
| Setting | Default |
|---|---|
| Ad personalisation | Off |
| Location sharing | Off |
| Profile visibility | Private |
| Data collection | Minimum |
Worked example
A game company discovers its ad SDK still sends device IDs for under-18 accounts. It adds an age flag that stops the SDK.
Activity (5 minutes) (behavioural monitoring and ad targeting)
List every tracker in your app and mark which could fire for a child.
Check your understanding of behavioural monitoring and ad targeting
Q1. Targeted ads to children:
Q2. A common risk source is:
Q3. Child accounts should default to:
Educational material for learning purposes, not legal advice. Check the official text of the DPDP Act, 2023, the DPDP Rules, 2025 and MeitY notifications for the latest position.