Lok Sabha passes landmark Data Protection Bill

The Lok Sabha has passed the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, aimed at safeguarding the privacy and security of personal data. This legislation aims to establish a robust framework for the responsible collection, usage, and protection of personal data by organisations, ensuring individuals' rights are upheld in the digital age.

The bill is founded on three core principles that underscore its commitment to lawful, ethical, and transparent data practices.

1. Fair, transparent usage of personal data

The first principle of the bill emphasizes that organisations must handle personal data in a lawful, fair, and transparent manner. This means that individuals' data must only be used with their consent, and organisations must provide clear information about how data will be used. This landmark legislation sets the foundation for building trust between individuals and organisations that handle their personal data, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.

2. Purpose limitation for personal data usage

The second principle centers around purpose limitation – ensuring that personal data is used only for the purposes for which it was collected. This principle prevents data from being repurposed for unrelated activities without explicit consent from the individuals concerned. By upholding this principle, the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 strengthens individuals' control over their data and prevents potential misuse.

3. Data minimisation and duration limitation

The third principle of the bill focuses on data minimization – the practice of collecting only the necessary personal data to achieve a specific purpose. This principle promotes efficiency and reduces the risks associated with amassing excessive personal information. Furthermore, the bill recognizes the importance of limiting the duration for which personal data is retained, ensuring that data is stored only as long as necessary to fulfill the intended purpose.

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 also introduces essential provisions to prevent unauthorized collection and processing of personal data. Robust safeguards are put in place to ensure that organisations adhere to the principles set forth in the legislation.

With the passage of this bill, India takes a significant step towards strengthening its digital landscape, striking a balance between individual privacy and technological advancement.

The bill is poised to reshape how organisations handle personal data, inspiring a new era of data responsibility and protection.