Digital Personal Data Protection Bill With Hefty Penalties Tabled In Lok Sabha To Safeguard Against Data Breaches

The amended Digital Personal Data Protection Bill was introduced in parliament on Thursday (3 August), with provisions of penalty up to Rs 250 crore for every data breach.

The Bill, aimed at preventing the misuse and exploitation of data, was tabled in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw.

For the purpose of investigation or ascertaining the financial information and assets and liabilities of any person who has defaulted on a loan or advance from a financial institution, the bill provides certain exemptions to the government.

The Bill has been introduced six years after the Supreme Court declared the Right to Privacy a Fundamental Right, reports news agency ANI.

The Bill includes provisions that allow for data processing without user consent in specific situations. These circumstances include medical emergencies, disasters, court orders, and government agency requirements.

Entities that violate the norms outlined in the Bill can face penalties ranging from a minimum of Rs 50 crore to a maximum of Rs 250 crore.

One of the provisions in the Bill grants the Centre the authority to block access to content in the interest of the general public. However, this can only be done upon receiving a written reference from the Data Protection Board.

The government or private companies are held strictly accountable by the law.