Cabinet approves Personal Data Protection Bill, to be introduced in Parliament

The Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod for the Personal Data Protection Bill in a move that will be watched closely by other nations looking at similar laws.

The passing of the Bill in Parliament — likely to happen in the ongoing Winter Session — will bring in clarity on not only the nitty-gritty of how to protect one’s personal and sensitive data, but also on the penalties that a company/agency/person would face for tampering with such data.

Sensitive and general data

The Bill says personal data classified as sensitive — such as information on financial matters, sexual orientation, health, biometrics, genetics, transgender status and religious or political beliefs and affiliation — cannot be stored by public and private entities outside the country. But these can be processed abroad with the consent of the persons concerned, says the Bill.