National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairperson Justice (retd) V Ramasubramanian has stressed the need to safeguard privacy as a fundamental human right in the digital age. Speaking at an open house discussion on ‘Ensuring Privacy and Human Rights in the Digital Era: A Focus on Corporate Digital Responsibility,’ he highlighted the declining value systems in digital ethics and the consequences of this shift. The event, hosted at NHRC headquarters, brought together experts from government, law enforcement, and technology sectors, with some participants joining virtually.
During the discussion, key recommendations emerged on strengthening user data protection and corporate accountability. These include:
- Simplifying user agreements to enhance consumer understanding and control over personal data.
- Establishing clear accountability structures for data breaches, especially for research institutions and third-party data processors.
- Strengthening user consent frameworks to ensure transparency and informed decision-making.
- Enforcing explicit penal provisions for non-compliance with data protection laws.
- Addressing challenges of strict data localization mandates to balance security and global data-sharing needs.
Challenges in Digital Privacy Enforcement
The NHRC chief emphasized that technological advancements must align with fundamental human rights and privacy protection. He reiterated that maintaining “digital hygiene” is crucial, as individual users play a key role in protecting their data.
A significant issue discussed was the dominance of global tech companies over user data, making regulatory enforcement difficult. Law enforcement agencies often struggle to access critical data due to storage in offshore centers, further complicating legal action. Participants also raised concerns that current data collection practices limit consumer choice, as many business models require mandatory data sharing.
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, was a major point of discussion, with participants debating its implementation and effectiveness. Many felt that the existing Do-Not-Disturb (DND) mechanism by TRAI has been largely ineffective in curbing data misuse.
NHRC’s Commitment to Digital Rights
Justice Ramasubramanian reaffirmed NHRC’s commitment to fostering discussions on digital rights and corporate accountability. He called for a robust regulatory framework that balances innovation, security, and individual privacy.
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Key officials in attendance included Shailendra Trivedi, Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Department of Information Technology, Reserve Bank of India; Deepak Goel, Group Coordinator (Cyber Law), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology; and Ankur Rastogi, Principal Project Engineering, EGSTM, Centre for Railway Information Systems.
The NHRC will continue working towards strengthening privacy safeguards in the digital age, ensuring a responsible and ethical technological landscape that upholds fundamental rights.
