Privacy and Data Protection
Privacy and Data Protection
Privacy and Data Protection
India doesn't have a fanatical law on data protection and privacy. India has also not adopted
any international instruments on privacy or data protection. Specific provisions on privacy
are found within the Information Technology Act 2000 (IT Act).
1. Section 43A of the IT Act, where a body corporate, possessing, dealing or handling any
sensitive personal data or information during a computer resource which it owns, controls or
operates, is negligent in implementing and maintaining reasonable security practices and
procedures causes wrongful loss or wrongful gain to a person , such body corporate are
going to be susceptible to pay damages by way of compensation to the person so affected.
3. Section 75 of the IT Act stipulates that the provisions of the IT Act shall apply to an
offence or contravention committed outside India by a person if the act or conduct
constituting an offence or contravention involves a computer, computing
system or network located in India.
The right to privacy is recognized within the Constitution but its growth and development is
entirely left to the mercy of the judiciary. In today’s connected world it's very difficult to
stop information to flee into the general public domain if someone is decided to place it out
without using extremely repressive methods. Data protection and privacy has been dealt
within the knowledge Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008 but not in an exhaustive manner.
The IT Act must establish setting of specific standards concerning the methods and purpose
of assimilation of right to privacy and private data. To conclude it might suffice by saying
that the IT Act is facing the matter of protection of knowledge and a separate legislation is
far needed for data protection striking an efficient balance between personal liberties and
privacy.