Centre’s exemption powers in draft data protection bill stir up industry worries

New Delhi: The draft personal data protection bill that seeks to empower the Centre to exempt any government agency from the provisions of the proposed legislation has the industry worried, as they warn that such exemptions represent “new, significant threats” to the privacy of Indians. The proposed bill also provides for voluntary verification of social media users and transfer of non-personal data.

The outcry from industry watchers, analysts and civil society comes amid the draft bill suggesting that the Centre will be empowered to exempt any government agency from the application of the Act and verify social media users.