Personal Data Protection Bill: Exemptions for government agencies worry experts

BENGALURU | NEW DELHI: The proposed personal data protection Bill, which allows the Centre to exempt its agencies from some or all provisions, is raising concerns among legal experts who said this will offer the government unaccountable access to personal data.

The new Bill was cleared by the Union Cabinet last week and shared with Members of Parliament on Tuesday. It is expected to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Subsequently, it could be referred to a 25-member Joint Parliamentary Committee headed by a BJP member from the Lower House, sources told ET. Political parties have been asked to name their members for the panel, according to their strength in the two Houses.