Lok Sabha approves Digital Personal Data Protection Bill

The Lok Sabha on Monday cleared the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill by a voice vote amid slogan shouting by opposition members over the Manipur issue. Some amendments moved by opposition members seeking changes in the bill were defeated by a voice vote.
The bill seeks to protect the privacy of Indian citizens while proposing a penalty of up to Rs 250 crore on entities for misusing or failing to protect the digital data of individuals.
The bill, which comes after six years of the Supreme Court declaring “Right to Privacy” as a fundamental right, has provisions to curb the misuse of individuals’ data by online platforms.
Moving the bill for consideration and passage, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “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.” He said the bill has been introduced after extensive public consultation.
Referring to the salient features of the bill, the minister said its language is very simple so that even a common person can understand it.
Referring to certain principles on which the bill is based, Vaishnaw said that according to the principle of legality, data of a person has to be taken based on prevailing laws.