PrivacyData Protection

The drafting process for the Data Protection Bill should not be shrouded in secrecy #SaveOurPrivacy

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has denied SaveOurPrivacy.in's request for transparency in the drafting of India's privacy law. We have filed first appeals under the RTI Act.

Apar Gupta
Apar Gupta

06 December, 2018
2 min read

This post is a part of our work to support a community oriented online campaign for a credible, user centric privacy law at www.saveourprivacy.in

In a previous blog on 20th October, 2018, we stated how we had filed RTI’s with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (“Meity”) for the consultation on the Draft Data Protection Bill. We had filed two RTIs in order to understand the real picture behind this. First, to get the details of all the comments sent to the Ministry. Second, apart from Ministry, who all are reviewing the comments and re-drafting the law.

  1. With regard to the details of the comments, the response was only limited to the number of submissions received (624) and no other information was provided. The request was disposed of by stating that the information was confidential and was to be examined by the Ministry.
  1. To the second RTI, Meity replied, “No information available with Cyber Law and Cyber Security Group of this Ministry”. We are completely unsatisfied by the responses of the Meity.

The answers received are insufficient, evasive and smack of secrecy. Right? Should such a secretive process be adopted to draft a significant law which will deeply impact a growing number of Indians who use technology in their lives.

We will not give up and yesterday we filed first appeals (link to appeal 1 and appeal 2) against these responses. We will continue pushing and take these to their logical conclusion.

About us

  • Work: The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) is an indian civil liberties organisation working on technology and fundamental rights. We work across a wide spectrum, with expertise in free speech, digital surveillance and privacy, net neutrality and innovation to champion of freedom in the digital space. To ensure that people in the world's largest democracy use the internet with liberty guaranteed under the Constitution of India.
  • Transparency: We are a non-profit registered under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. Aimed towards greater accountability to our donors who are ordinary internet users in India like you we have published detailed financial information that is updated regularly.

IFF Online:

(This post and the appeals have been drafted by the time and skills volunteered by Mohit Khetan)

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