JOIN USMinister for Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said private companies that are collecting customers' data should obey the law of the land.
The government expects by year end recommendations from a 10-member committee, headed by Justice B N Srikrishna, on a framework for securing personal data and build safeguards against data breaches.
“We have constituted a high-level committee on data protection headed by retired Judge Srikrishna. The court has acknowledged that a robust data regime is needed to balance the inequities at individual and national levels and above all in delivering social welfare schemes,” he told reporters here.
The panel will deal with all the issues about data security. Based on the suggestion of the panel, the government will draft a data protection bill, said the minister.
To a question on social media giants like WhatsApp and Facebook collecting user data, the minister said the matter has to be examined based on the judgement.
“I wish that whoever is collecting consumers' data must obey the law of the land," he said.
He also said that contrary to allegations by the Opposition, the government has always been of view, particularly with regard to Aadhaar, that privacy should be an inalienable right of individuals.
On the benefits of Aadhaar, the minister claimed the government has saved Rs 57,000 crore through validation.
“Aadhaar validates information for 3 crore people every day. The world is marvelling at this technology. It is completely homegrown. Should be proud,” he said.
Prasad said the government cannot give permission for release of data except in compelling circumstances for which there is a strict laid-down procedure.
He said about 30 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been opened which are linked to Aadhaar and also mobile numbers.
DH News Service