The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022 is likely to come up before the Union Cabinet today, July 5. The bill, which was first released for public consultation in November 2022, aims to govern the collection, storage, and use of personal data by businesses and government agencies.

The bill has been a long-awaited piece of legislation in India, as the country has no comprehensive data protection law in place. The current data protection framework is based on the Information Technology Act, of 2000, which is outdated and does not meet the needs of the digital age.

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, of 2022 would provide a number of new rights to individuals, including the right to access their personal data, the right to correct their personal data, and the right to be forgotten. The bill would also create a new Data Protection Authority to oversee the implementation of the law.

The bill has been met with mixed reactions from businesses and privacy advocates. Some businesses have expressed concerns that the bill would be too burdensome and would stifle innovation. Privacy advocates, on the other hand, have welcomed the bill as a step in the right direction.

If the bill is approved by the Cabinet today, it will be tabled in Parliament during the upcoming Monsoon session. The bill is likely to be debated and amended before it is finally passed into law.

Key Provisions of the Bill

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022 includes a number of key provisions, including:

• The definition of personal data is broad and includes any information that can be used to identify an individual, such as their name, address, phone number, email address, and biometric data.
• Businesses and government agencies will need to obtain consent from individuals before collecting, using, or disclosing their personal data.
• Individuals will have the right to access their personal data, the right to correct their personal data, and the right to be forgotten.
• A new Data Protection Authority will be created to oversee the implementation of the law.

Impact of the Bill

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022 would have a significant impact on businesses and individuals in India. Businesses would need to comply with the new law in order to collect, use, and disclose personal data. Individuals would have new rights to their personal data, which would give them more control over how their data is used.

The bill is also likely to have a positive impact on the Indian economy. By providing a strong legal framework for data protection, the bill would help to attract investment and innovation in the digital economy.