New Delhi: Opposition Group Calls for Repeal of Controversial Section in Digital Data Act
On Thursday, the opposition alliance known as the INDIA bloc urged the government to revoke Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. They argue that this section compromises the public’s right to access essential information through the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The opposition plans to submit a petition, which has been signed by 120 members, including prominent leader Rahul Gandhi, to Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology.
In response to concerns expressed by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, Vaishnaw assured that the disclosure of personal information will still be protected under the RTI Act. He emphasized that the DPDP Act aims to enhance individuals’ privacy rights and prevent any misuse of personal data, rather than restrict access to information.
Vaishnaw stated that the DPDP Act aligns with the principles of privacy established in the Supreme Court’s Puttaswamy judgment and maintains transparency as outlined in the RTI Act.
Although the act received the President’s approval on August 11, 2023, it has not yet been implemented while discussions about its terms are ongoing.
During a joint press conference in New Delhi, members of the INDIA bloc expressed their intention to wait for the government’s response regarding the repeal of Section 44(3) and their concerns before determining their next steps, which could include seeking legal action.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi described the DPDP Act as a deliberate attempt to undermine citizens’ rights to information. He highlighted that, as per Section 8(1) of the RTI Act, personal information can be withheld only if it does not serve public interest. However, if the information is relevant to the public, it should not be withheld, even if it includes personal data.
Gogoi further criticized Section 44(3) for weakening the provisions of Section 8(1) by stating that there is no obligation to share any information related to personal data with citizens.
Key figures from the opposition, including Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena (UBT), John Brittas from the CPM, M.M. Abdullah from the DMK, Javed Ali from the SP, and Naval Kishor from the RJD, were also present at the press conference. Major alliance members, including the NCP and TMC, have shown their support for the petition.
