Privacy bill could be sent to Attorney General for assessing RTI impact - The Economic Times

India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act faces scrutiny regarding its potential impact on transparency. The government has referred the matter to the Attorney General to resolve allegations that the legislation undermines the Right to Information Act. While critics argue that removing the public interest test allows authorities to withhold personal details to obscure accountability, officials maintain that the DPDP Act does not restrict access to information necessary for civic engagement or journalism. Civil society and opposition parties have raised alarms, claiming the amendment restricts journalists and activists from exposing corruption by limiting disclosures of personal information. Despite these concerns, the government insists that existing safeguards remain intact and that essential data regarding welfare schemes and government operations can still be accessed through standard RTI procedures. The discrepancy between legal text and practical application remains a point of contention, with stakeholders urging a repeal of specific exemptions that they believe dilute fundamental transparency rights. This situation is critical for open data because it highlights the delicate balance between protecting individual privacy and ensuring public access to information. The controversy demonstrates how privacy laws can inadvertently create barriers to accountability if not carefully aligned with transparency frameworks. Understanding this dynamic is essential for policymakers aiming to implement data protection standards that support, rather than hinder, the open sharing of non-sensitive public information and the maintenance of democratic oversight.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Published on 2025-07-03

Privacy bill could be sent to Attorney General for assessing RTI impact - The Economic Times

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