India to ease data storage rules in relief for Google, Meta

India plans to allow transfer and storing personal data in some countries overseas, in a reprieve for global companies including Alphabet Inc.’s Google, Amazon Inc., and Meta Platforms Inc.’s Facebook.

The government will “notify such countries or territories outside India to which a data fiduciary may transfer personal data,” according to the draft Digital Personal Data Protection Bill unveiled on Friday for public feedback. The long-delayed bill needs the approval of parliament before becoming law. An earlier version of the bill had sought to severely restrict transfer, processing and storage of data overseas.

The key piece of proposed legislation comes as digitisation thrives in the country of 140 crore where usage of smartphones and apps is skyrocketing.