New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday approved the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 through a voice vote, as Opposition members staged a walkout in protest of the Manipur issue.
Earlier, the Lok Sabha had also endorsed the Bill on Monday using a voice vote, amidst Opposition members' slogans focusing on Manipur. The Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 3 by IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, arrives six years after the Supreme Court established the "Right to Privacy" as a fundamental right. It includes provisions to curb the misuse of individuals' data by online platforms.
Vaishnaw stressed that the Bill delineates responsibilities for both private and government entities concerning the collection and processing of citizens' data.
The legislation outlines penalties for various violations, encompassing fines of up to Rs 200 crore for neglecting obligations towards children's data protection and Rs 250 crore for failure to implement security measures to prevent data breaches. An appointed committee will levy penalties following an inquiry.
While introducing the Bill for deliberation and passage in the Upper House, Vaishnaw said, "It would have been beneficial if the Opposition had engaged in discussions about the Bill in the House today. Unfortunately, none of the Opposition members seem to be concerned about citizens' rights." He highlighted that the Bill was formulated after extensive public consultations.
Vaishnaw underscored that the Bill's key points are communicated in simple language, making it accessible even to individuals without specialised knowledge.
Pointing to foundational principles, Vaishnaw stated that data collection must be in accordance with existing laws and should not be utilised for purposes beyond its original intent.
A motion to send the Bill to the Parliamentary committee by Rajya Sabha member John Brittas and V. Sivadasan was not moved due to their absence in the House when the Bill was put for vote.
