We need answers on severe breach of citizen privacy
The controversy over the use of spyware Pegasus by unidentified entities to violate the privacy of some Indians highlights multiple risks. We still don’t have a personal data protection legislation though it’s about two years since Supreme Court emphatically upheld the citizen’s fundamental right to privacy. The apex court verdict was all encompassing. Not only did it set limits on state intervention, it also pointed out the state has an obligation to safeguard the fundamental right to privacy of individuals.
Given the radical evolution in technology, the existing legal architecture is all but useless.
Attendant to a legislative framework will be the creation of a data protection regulator. The quality of the regulator will be critical in upholding the apex court verdict on privacy.
In the interim, we do need credible answers on who used to violate citizens’ fundamental rights.
-TIMES EDIT more