<h5>What is data protection?</h5>  <p>We all access the internet, right? We use it to browse our social media accounts or search for anything on the internet. In today’s day and age, every activity performed by an individual on the internet involves the collection of data like IP address, location, etc. Companies collect and organize data including personal information to use for their businesses.
While data can be useful, the unregulated use of data, particularly personal data, has raised concerns about an individual's security and privacy. If such personal information falls into the wrong hands, it can be misused. So, it is important to secure and keep the personal data of all citizens safe.
Keeping this in mind, the Indian government has released the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022 (DPDP Bill, 2022). This is the fourth draft of the bill.</p> <h5>What does the new DPDP bill say?</h5>  <p>The DPDP Bill, 2022, applies to online as well as offline personal data. So it includes any time you share your location on Zomato or Amazon, or give a mobile number to a store when you check out. The bill states that permission must be sought before personal data is collected. 
A penalty of up to Rs 5 billion may be imposed on individuals and businesses who fail to prevent data breaches, which include accidentally destroying, disclosing, changing, or sharing personal data. Companies will also be allowed to store data only for certain periods of time. 
The DPDP Bill, 2022 also proposes the establishment of a Data Protection Board of India. This board will monitor and determine noncompliance, and impose penalties. Companies such as Amazon and Meta will have to appoint data protection officers who will act as their representatives before the board. 
This bill also allows the transfer and storage of personal data in certain foreign countries. Based on certain factors, the Central Government may select countries or places outside India to which a data fiduciary may transfer personal data.</p> <h5>Why has this bill been revised?</h5>  <p>The DPDP Bill, 2022, is the fourth draft of the data protection bill. After the Supreme Court ruled that privacy is a fundamental right, the government released a data protection bill. However, this version of the bill had several restrictions on data transfer, processing, and storage. Many individuals and companies protested and said the bill was too restrictive.</p>
<p>
In response, the government withdrew the earlier bill and made several changes. Then the DPDP Bill, 2022, was released. Overall, the new bill is much more lenient than its earlier version regarding various data protection laws. The changes have been made to ensure that Indian businesses can fully participate in the global digital economy.</p> <h5>What did we learn from this article?</h5>  <p>We learned about the importance of data protection and what the government is doing to protect the citizens of the country. The rules have been made so that no one can misuse our personal data. Still, we must be cautious ourselves too.
Do you believe the government is moving in the right direction by introducing this bill? Please let us know in the comments section.</p>

Every company collects data as you browse the internet. To regulate who collects what, how much, etc., the government has introduced a data protection bill. Let’s read about it!

Explainer: India’s New Data Protection Bill

Hootcoins for this article have expired!

India’s First Privately Built Rocket Takes Off

Mysuru Zoo’s Wild Animals Can Now Be Adopted

Justice DY Chandrachud Becomes the CJI

Explainer: India’s New Data Protection Bill

Hootcoins for this article have expired!

Did you read these articles?

India’s First Privately Built Rocket Takes Off

Mysuru Zoo’s Wild Animals Can Now Be Adopted

Justice DY Chandrachud Becomes the CJI