Data Protection Bill: Safeguarding Our Digital Footprint and Personal Data Security

The Personal Data Protection Bill is a legislation that ensures the secure usage of personal data and imposes obligations on businesses. It allows for the transfer and storage of data in certain countries and includes provisions for penalties in case of violations. This bill comprises six principles of personal data protection, including lawful data collection, transparency, data minimization, data protection and accountability, access to data, and rules regarding data breaches.

Terminologies of Data:

Data Principal: The individual who generates the data.
Data Fiduciary: Entities that store and process the data.
Data Localization: The requirement for data to remain within the producing nation.
Data Minimization: Collecting only relevant data necessary for the intended purpose.
Personal Data: Information that provides personal details about individuals/entities, such as names and addresses.
Non-personal Data Sensitive Data: Data containing confidential information like financial transactions and biometric details.

                                         (Image Source- Google| Image By-The Financial Express)

Importance of the Data Protection Bill: 

This bill is crucial for protecting and disseminating individual data. It will foster a healthy relationship between data principals and data fiduciaries, instilling trust in the government. The bill will also facilitate secure cross-border data transfers and prevent social media trolling and the circulation of fake data through strict regulations. Implementation of this bill will enhance foreign investment confidence in the government.

Challenges in Passing the Bill: The draft bill was proposed in the Lok Sabha in 2019 but faced opposition from ministers and social media firms, citing loopholes. Some believe it may violate the Right to Information (RTI) Act of 2005, which empowers citizens to access government information and ensure accountability. Concerns have been raised that people may lose access to digital data’s right to information.

Data Protection Bills Worldwide: Currently, 137 countries have legislation in place to secure and protect data privacy. Developed countries exhibit greater sensitivity towards data protection and privacy of their citizens compared to developing and underdeveloped nations.

“Article Credit: Archana Barshilia”