The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019: All you need to know
Distilled Policy Brief
- The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 was introduced in Parliament following the Supreme Court's 2017 ruling that privacy is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
- The Bill establishes a Data Protection Authority, defines rights for data principals, and imposes processing and storage limitations on data fiduciaries.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
The Personal Data Protection Bill governs both government entities and companies incorporated in India, as well as foreign companies dealing with personal data of individuals in India.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Discuss the need for a robust data protection framework in India in light of the evolving digital economy and the Supreme Court's recognition of privacy as a fundamental right.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
Consider the following statements regarding the context of the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019: 1. The Bill was introduced following the Supreme Court's 2017 ruling that recognized privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. 2. Prior to the introduction of the Bill, personal data regulation in India was primarily governed by the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2011, which apply to both companies and the government. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- [A] 1 only
- [B] 2 only
- [C] Both 1 and 2
- [D] Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Statement 1 is correct because the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 was brought in the backdrop of the Supreme Court's August 2017 ruling holding privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21. Statement 2 is incorrect because while the IT Rules, 2011 (under the IT Act, 2000) regulate personal data, the IT Act applies only to companies and not to the government.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.