New Delhi (Agency): A significant step towards safeguarding the privacy of Indian citizens has been taken with the approval of the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023. This bill’s aim is to ensure that individuals’ data is treated with respect and not misused, especially on online platforms.
The Rajya Sabha, one of the two Houses of the Indian Parliament, passed the bill with a voice vote. This event occurred after several opposition members chose to walk out due to disagreements on another matter concerning Manipur. Previously, the other House, the Lok Sabha, had given its nod to the bill on Monday.
This crucial bill has been six years in the making. It’s noteworthy that it was formulated after the Supreme Court of India recognized the “Right to Privacy” as a basic human right. With the rise of the digital era, there has been growing concern about how personal data of individuals is collected and used by various platforms. This bill seeks to address these concerns by laying down strict rules for the collection and processing of personal data.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister, explained the bill’s intent. He mentioned that it sets clear “obligations on private and government entities” regarding the handling of citizens’ data. One of the significant features of the bill is the hefty penalty it proposes. Any entity that misuses or fails to secure the digital data of individuals can face a fine of up to Rs 250 crore.
However, the passage of the bill wasn’t without its controversies. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed his disappointment over the lack of discussion on the bill in the House. He commented, “It would have been good had the opposition discussed the bill today (in the House). But no opposition leader or member is concerned over the rights of the citizens.”
Despite the political differences, the minister emphasized that the bill was crafted after thorough public consultation. In an effort to make it more accessible, the bill’s language has been kept straightforward. Vaishnaw believes that even a common person would be able to grasp its content and implications.
He further elaborated on the bill’s foundation principles. Among these principles is the idea of legality, which he described by saying that the “data of a person has to be taken based on prevailing laws and cannot be used for a purpose beyond which it has been collected.”
Interestingly, a motion to send the bill for further review to the select committee of the Parliament was not pursued. This was because the members who proposed this motion, John Brittas and V Sivadasan, were not present when the vote on the bill was being conducted.
