India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill has received cabinet approval and is set to be presented in the Parliament during the upcoming monsoon session. The bill addresses the long-standing demand of citizens for data protection and ensures that the government cannot use individual data without consent. It also establishes guidelines for information handling, sharing, and storage.
During the Congress government in 2011, concerns were raised about the processing and storage of Aadhaar data. In 2018, the Narendra Modi-led government drafted a bill under the guidance of a special committee. However, a consensus could not be reached, delaying the bill’s approval. In 2019-20, the bill was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, which proposed amendments and produced a revised version.
The Union Cabinet initially failed to approve the redrafted bill due to concerns about private companies having excessive leeway in handling data. After deliberations and debates, the BJP-led government managed to secure consensus for the bill’s approval. It will now be reviewed by the Parliament speaker based on the interests of stakeholders after a thorough debate on consumer privacy rights.
While countries like the UK and the USA already have data protection laws in place, India is in the process of drafting and approving its own legislation. It remains uncertain how effectively these laws are being implemented in other countries. India, as the world’s most populous country, is taking steps to protect consumer privacy rights.
The upcoming monsoon session of the Indian Parliament will be held in the newly constructed Sansad Bhavan. The building, completed by Tata Projects Ltd under the Central Vista plan, has a construction budget of Rs 900 crores. It was inaugurated on May 28, 2023, by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The new parliament, 10% smaller than the existing circular building, features three entrances: Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar.
Key points:
– India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Bill has received cabinet approval and will be presented in the Parliament during the upcoming monsoon session.
– The bill addresses citizen demands for data protection and ensures government consent for individual data usage.
– Strict guidelines for information handling, sharing, and storage are established in the bill.
– The bill has undergone revisions and amendments after extensive discussions and debates.
– The newly constructed Sansad Bhavan will host the monsoon session of the Indian Parliament.