Introduction

The Indian government passed the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill (PDPB), 2023, on 7th August 2023. This bill aims to protect our personal data because there have been many instances of data breaches and misuse of information.

Continue reading this blog to gain valuable insights on the questions you have in mind!

What will the Data Protection Bill do? 

The Data Protection Bill has two main goals:

1. To protect our rights and privacy
2. To make sure companies handle our data responsibly

Under this bill, we, as citizens, will have certain rights:

• Right to Information: We have the ability to access information about how our personal data is being used.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: We can say no to companies using our data. And they have to tell us if they share it with others.
• Right to Correction and Erasure: If there are mistakes in our data, we can ask to fix them. Also, we can make them delete the data when it’s not needed anymore.
• Right to Redress: We can complain to a special board if a company doesn’t treat our data properly.

On the other hand, companies that hold our data have responsibilities:

• Transparency: Companies must clearly tell us what data they collect and why.
• Informed Consent: They need our permission before collecting our personal data.
• Data Accuracy: They have to make sure the data they have is correct and complete.
• Data Retention: They can only keep our data for as long as they need it.
• Data Breach Notification: If there is a data breach, they have to tell both us and the Data Protection Board.
• Data Sharing: Before sharing our data with others, they must have agreements in place.

Who will put the Digital Data Protection Bill into action? 

A special board called the Data Protection Board of India (DPB) will make sure companies follow the rules. They will also punish those who don’t comply, making companies accountable for our data.

How do other countries govern data protection?

Many countries are worried about data protection. About 70% of them have laws to protect our privacy. For example, the European Union has a strict law called GDPR, which other countries look up to. China and Vietnam also have their own rules to control how personal data is handled.

How will the post-implementation of the data bill affect normal users? 

After the Data Protection Bill becomes law, we’ll see some changes online. Websites and apps will ask for our permission before using our data. We can also decide if we want promotional emails or messages. This will give us more control over our data and better privacy.

Does the bill place an undue burden on tech companies, especially startups? 

Some people think that small companies might find it hard to follow the rules at first. But overall, the bill will make companies more responsible and protect us better. Big companies might already know how to do this. And there will be companies to help smaller ones follow the rules too.

Hits and Misses of Data Protection Bill 2023:

Hits	Misses
Addresses India’s specific requirements and challenges	Absence of a distinction between non-sensitive and sensitive personal data
Offers well-defined deadlines for grievance resolution	Vague provisions
It makes data protection accessible to everyone	Exemptions and delegation of powers grant the state excessive power
Includes provisions for the less privileged, illiterate, and vulnerable

Conclusion

This bill is a big deal for India’s digital world. It’s all about keeping our personal info safe and making sure companies handle our data responsibly. With clear rules for individuals and companies, the PDPB sets the stage for better data security. It also gives us more control over our information online.

As the bill becomes law, it’s essential to listen to feedback from experts and make any needed improvements. We want to find the right balance between protecting our data and helping businesses grow. By doing this, we can have a strong and effective law. It will not only keep our data safe but also becomes a model for other countries. 

Thinking about a future with better data privacy in India excites us. We will have more control over how our information is used and can trust that our digital world is more secure.