Over 400 responses received on data protection bill

The IT Ministry has started analysing the feedback received from the public on draft data protection bill.

The ministry received more than 400 responses from companies, industry bodies and government departments on the draft personal data protection bill, and will take stock of suggestions before its proposed introduction in Parliament, according to a senior official.

With the deadline to submit suggestions on the government's draft personal data protection bill closing on Wednesday, the official said that the ministry will start systematically analysing and crystallising the responses now, following which, it will further consult related stakeholders and certain ministries like Law and Justice.

Several global industry bodies have raised concern over the bill saying mandatory data localisation would be negative to do business in India.

The official said some of the responses talk about how the language of the draft bill can be tightened to avoid its multiple interpretations in the future and added that some suggestions were around the costs surrounding mandatory localisation or storage of data, that the bill proposes.

The ministry hopes that after considering the views, the bill can be tabled in the winter session of Parliament.

The draft bill moots "explicit consent" for processing 'sensitive personal information' like religious or political beliefs, sexual orientation and biometric details.

It suggests steps for safeguarding personal information, defining obligations of data processors as also rights of individuals while proposing penalties for violation.