Financial Data Governance in Digital Lending

The rapid expansion of digital lending platforms in emerging markets has transformed access to credit while simultaneously raising critical concerns around data governance and consumer protection. This study examines the role of financial data governance in digital lending ecosystems, with a specific focus on consumer protection challenges in FinTech platforms across emerging markets. Adopting a qualitative case study approach, the research draws on secondary data sources including regulatory reports, policy documents, and case evidence from leading digital lending platforms in India and comparable emerging economies. The study employs thematic analysis and comparative regulatory assessment as key analytical tools to identify patterns in data usage, governance practices, and consumer risk. The findings reveal significant gaps in data governance, including opaque algorithmic credit scoring, unauthorized data sharing, and inadequate disclosure mechanisms, which heighten consumer vulnerability.