E-commerce policy draft: DPIIT digs heels on data localisation

Following the ‘data is oil’ argument often used by businesses, the latest e-commerce policy draft focuses on different aspects of data localisation, while also seeking to establish data as an economic resource, said experts

The government has made its intent to regulate and keep specified data within Indian shores in the draft which the department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) issued on Saturday.

The draft has built on data-related policy and laws being discussed by other government departments, underlining an intent to make data localisation a reality.

According to the draft, the aim is “to streamline protection of personal data and empower the users/consumers to have control over the data they generate and own”.