Info Edge’s Naukri Faces Privacy Questions Over Monetization of User Data

India’s largest job portal, Naukri.com, is facing renewed scrutiny after reports alleged that it monetizes user data—including salary information, phone numbers, addresses, employment history, and other personal details—through products sold to recruiters and enterprises. The revelations have sparked fresh debate over data privacy, informed consent, and how employment platforms generate revenue while handling sensitive information entrusted by millions of job seekers.

Owned by Info Edge (India) Ltd., Naukri has long been the go-to platform for professionals searching for jobs and employers seeking talent. However, questions are now being raised about the extent to which users understand how their personal information may be accessed, shared, or commercialized.

How Naukri’s Business Model Works

Naukri primarily earns revenue by selling recruitment solutions to employers, staffing firms, and recruiters.

These services typically include:

• Access to candidate databases.
• Resume search tools.
• Recruitment software.
• Job advertisements.
• Hiring analytics.
• Premium employer branding solutions.

Recruiters pay subscription fees to search and contact candidates whose profiles match specific hiring requirements.

What User Information Is Available?

When users create a Naukri profile, they often provide detailed professional and personal information, including:

• Name and contact details.
• Phone number.
• Email address.
• Current and previous employers.
• Salary information.
• Work experience.
• Educational qualifications.
• Skills and certifications.
• Preferred job location.

This information helps recruiters identify suitable candidates, but it also raises questions about how broadly that data can be accessed and under what conditions.

Why Privacy Concerns Are Growing

Critics argue that many users sign up primarily to apply for jobs without fully understanding how their profile data may be used within Naukri’s recruitment ecosystem.

Privacy advocates say employment-related information is particularly sensitive because it may reveal:

• Current compensation.
• Career progression.
• Employment status.
• Professional relationships.
• Personal contact information.

Such data can be valuable for recruiters but may also expose users to spam calls, unsolicited job offers, phishing attempts, or unwanted outreach if not handled carefully.

Naukri’s Data Access Controls

Naukri provides users with several privacy settings that allow them to control profile visibility.

Users can choose whether to:

• Make their profile visible to recruiters.
• Hide their profile from their current employer.
• Mark themselves as actively looking for jobs.
• Restrict profile visibility.
• Update or remove personal information.

These settings are intended to give users greater control over who can view their professional profiles.

Regulatory Spotlight on Data Privacy

The discussion comes as India strengthens its data protection framework through the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act.

The law places greater emphasis on:

• User consent.
• Purpose limitation.
• Data minimization.
• Transparency.
• Accountability.
• Protection of personal information.

Digital platforms that process personal data are expected to clearly explain how information is collected, stored, processed, and shared with third parties.

Balancing Recruitment and Privacy

Employment platforms depend on candidate information to connect job seekers with employers efficiently.

At the same time, maintaining user trust requires ensuring that personal data is handled responsibly and transparently.

Industry experts say platforms must strike a balance between enabling effective recruitment while giving users meaningful control over how their information is accessed and used.

Outlook

The debate surrounding Naukri’s data practices reflects broader concerns about privacy in the digital economy. As employment platforms continue expanding their recruitment products and data-driven services, transparency around personal information usage is becoming increasingly important.

With millions of professionals relying on online job portals to advance their careers, trust remains one of the industry’s most valuable assets. Going forward, stronger disclosure practices, robust privacy controls, and compliance with evolving data protection regulations are expected to play a critical role in maintaining user confidence across India’s online recruitment ecosystem.