Lok Sabha Engages in Discussion on Bill Concerning the Protection of Digital Personal Data

Lok Sabha Engages in Discussion on Bill Concerning the Protection of Digital Personal Data

Introduction:

The Lok Sabha recently witnessed a crucial debate on the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, which was introduced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Despite opposition members requesting a thorough parliamentary panel examination, the government proceeded with the bill. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw dismissed claims that the bill had financial implications and emphasized its significance as a “normal bill.” However, various opposition members expressed dissent and raised concerns regarding the proposal. Previously, the Personal Data Protection Bill 2019 was presented to Parliament and later dropped due to feedback from stakeholders. In November 2022, the government launched a public consultation on the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022, which proposed significant fines for non-compliance.

Full Article: Lok Sabha Engages in Discussion on Bill Concerning the Protection of Digital Personal Data

Introduction

The Lok Sabha witnessed a debate on the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, which was presented by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. However, there were requests from opposition members to send the bill to a parliamentary panel for examination. In response to this, the bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw clarified that the bill is not a financial one but a “normal bill”.

Opposition Challenges and Concerns

Upon introduction, several opposition members showed their skepticism towards the bill and raised questions about its proposal. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the head of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, along with Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor from the same party, expressed their concerns and opined that the government should not rush with the law.

Previous Version of the Bill

The Personal Data Protection Bill 2019 had been introduced in Parliament by the Central government. It was then reviewed by the Joint Committee of Parliament, which submitted a report to the Speaker after discussions. However, due to feedback from stakeholders and various agencies, the Bill was dropped in August 2022.

New Draught Bill for Digital Personal Data Protection

After the withdrawal of the previous bill, the government launched a public consultation on a new draught bill called the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022. The consultation process included receiving public opinions and consulting 46 sector groups, organizations, and industry bodies. Additionally, 38 ministries and departments of the Indian government provided their comments on the new bill.

Proposed Sanctions and Fines

The reintroduced draught bill proposes six different types of sanctions for non-compliant businesses. It suggests a fine of up to Rs. 250 crore for violating personal data protection. Failure to inform the Board and affected Data Principals about a personal data breach, as well as non-compliance with specific duties regarding children’s data, may result in a fine of up to Rs. 200 crore. Significant Data Fiduciaries may face fines of Rs. 150 crore and Rs. 10 crore for failing to meet additional requirements, as outlined in sections 11 and 16 of the Act.

Conclusion

The Lok Sabha debated the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, as Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw presented it. However, there were suggestions from opposition members to send the bill for examination by a parliamentary panel. The bill had undergone previous iterations and was dropped in 2022 due to stakeholder feedback. The government then launched a public consultation for the new Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022, taking into account various opinions and comments. The bill proposes significant fines for non-compliant businesses, aiming to safeguard personal data and ensure data protection.

Summary: Lok Sabha Engages in Discussion on Bill Concerning the Protection of Digital Personal Data

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill was recently introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. While opposition members requested that the bill be examined by a parliamentary panel, the government pushed for its introduction. However, several opposition members rejected the bill and expressed concerns about the proposal. The bill was previously introduced by the Centre in Parliament and was dropped in August 2022 due to feedback from stakeholders. A new draft bill, the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022, was launched for public consultation, receiving a total of 21,666 public opinions and input from various organizations and government departments. The reintroduced draft bill proposes different sanctions for non-compliance, including fines of up to Rs. 250 crore for personal data violations.

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