Union Government introduces Digital Personal Data Protection’ bill

New Delhi: The central government has taken an important step to end the ‘data localisation’ controversy with the powerful multinational companies operating in India. The Central Government has proposed the ‘Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022’. According to this, these companies will be able to transfer and store the data of Indians in reliable countries where it will be safe. However, in case of failure to protect this data and private information of Indians, strict provisions have been made in this bill to impose a fine of up to 500 crore rupees on these companies and the concerned person. All the more, as per the claims being made, Google, Amazon, and Facebook have gotten relief. Besides, some people in the IT sector have welcomed this bill.

The number of internet users in India has crossed 75 crores and India ranks second in the list of countries with the highest number of mobile users. Considering the potential of this Indian market, the powerful multinational companies in this sector have fixated their attention on India. But to keep the data of Indians as well as the private information of Indians safe, these companies had demanded ‘data localisation,’ i.e. data and information of Indians should be stored in India. But multinational companies claimed that it was not affordable to do so. In this background, the central government had proposed the Data Protection Bill. However, considering the opposition, the central government withdrew this bill in August.

Moreover, given the ‘Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022’ proposed on Friday, the government has softened its stance somewhat. At the same time, considering the security of data and private information, the government has made the necessary provisions in this bill, and experts in the IT sector are welcoming it. These experts say that while protecting the data, new technology and research are not affected by this bill. Experts say that controversial issues like ‘data mirroring’, ‘data localisation’ have been kept aside and more clarity has been brought in the new bill regarding data security.

The government will provide a list of countries where data and private information of Indians can be transferred and stored in trusted countries. At the same time, if this information is leaked due to an accident or mistake, the bill has a strict provision to impose a penalty of up to Rs 500 crore on the companies and individuals responsible for it. It is said that the bill has been kept open for the reaction of the public till the 17th of December, after which the bill will be tabled in the parliament. The important thing is that the ‘Data Protection Board’, i.e. a separate ‘Board’ will be established to monitor whether the necessary procedures are being implemented to keep the data safe. The public can file complaints with this ‘Data Protection Board’. Also, the big companies in this sector have to appoint a ‘data auditor’ to monitor whether the rules are being followed. Additionally, the right has been given to the customers to amend and change their personal data in the sad bill.