India’s new data protection law: balancing individual rights and surveillance concerns

India’s President has ratified the ‘Right to Information Act (RTIA)’, a pivotal data protection legislation poised to be implemented shortly.

Although designed to oversee digital personal data processing in a manner that respects individuals’ rights to guard their data for lawful purposes, it has sparked concerns.

The law covers the processing of digital personal data collected both within and outside India’s territory, as long as it relates to goods or services provided in the country.

A significant concern lies in the power it provides the government to request company information and order content blocking.

Furthermore, it allows the central government to exempt governmental agencies from the law’s purview, especially in national security matters.

Critics argue that the regulation can potentially misuse personal data under the guise of national sovereignty and integrity.

Despite strong opposition claims that the law would enable state surveillance, it gained approval from both parliamentary houses.

The Editors Guild of India expressed worries about potential legal grounds for citizen surveillance, impacting journalists and their sources.

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