Digital Personal Data Protection Bill Passed in Lok Sabha, Non-Compliance could Result in Up to Rs 250 Crore Penalty

For the last few years, there was a demand in the country to make a strict law regarding the protection of personal data. For this, the Central Government had introduced the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill. This bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Monday. In this, some amendments brought by the members of the opposition parties were rejected by voice vote.

This Bill Emphasis has been laid on protecting the privacy of the country’s citizens. There is a provision to impose a fine of up to Rs 250 crore on entities that misuse people’s digital data or fail to protect it. The Supreme Court had declared ‘Right to Privacy’ as a fundamental right six years ago. This bill has provisions related to banning misuse of people’s data by online platforms. This bill was passed in the Lok Sabha amid uproar by opposition parties on the issue of violence in Manipur.

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while introducing the bill for consideration and passing, said, “It would have been good if the opposition had discussed this bill but no opposition leader or member is concerned about the rights of citizens.” He said that this bill has been brought after detailed public consultation. He said that its language is very simple and even a common person can understand it. He explained the principles on which this bill is based. Ashwini said that according to the principle of legality, an individual’s data should be taken on the basis of existing laws. He said that according to the principle of limited purpose, data should be used for the same purpose for which it has been collected.

Referring to the principle of minimum data, Ashwini said that more data than required should not be taken. Regarding the storage limit, he said that the data should be kept only for the period that is needed. Regarding the process of dispute resolution in this bill, he said that if any entity makes a mistake then it will have to go to the Data Protection Board to rectify that mistake and pay the fine.