Data protection is an important aspect of privacy rights protection and commercial expediency. On the one hand it ensures that privacy rights are respected by not divulging the sensitive information whereas on the other hand it is “must have” requirement of many business models.Outsourcing industry relies heavily upon a sufficient and strong data protection law. In the Indian context, outsourcing industry is relying upon contractual terms as there is no dedicated data protection law in India. This is also hampering the outsourcing business to a great extent.
However, although commercial aspects of data protection can be ignored to a certain limit, this cannot be said about the constitutional requirements of privacy protection in India.
According to Praveen Dalal, a Supreme Court lawyers and leading techno legal expert of India, we have no “Dedicated” Data Protection Law in India. Even India does not have a Data Security Law and Privacy Law. This makes the sensitive information and personal details of Indian Citizens “Highly Vulnerable” to misuse, informs Dalal.
If we analyse this situation in the light of recent e-surveillance projects of Indian government, the matter becomes worst. E-surveillance projects like Aadhar/UID, national intelligence grid (Natgrid), crime and criminals tracking networks and systems (CCTNS), central monitoring system (CMS), etc are not supported by any legal framework and parliamentary oversight.
What is ironical is that Intelligence Agencies of India and Law Enforcement Agencies of India themselves are not subject to any “Parliamentary Scrutiny”, informs Praveen Dalal. Indian Government must maintain a “Balance” between National Security and Civil Liberties, suggests Dalal.
When intelligence agencies are themselves outside the purview of parliamentary oversight and there are no privacy laws, data protection laws and data security laws, we cannot trust Indian government and its agencies much. Even the phone tapping in India is done in an unconstitutional manner in India.
In this background, it becomes absolutely essential for the Supreme Court of India to interfere. A writ petition regarding protection of privacy rights of an individual is already pending before the Supreme Court of India and let us hope the court would do the justice once more.
