Exemptions in new data bill limited to national security, public order: MoS IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Rajeev Chandrasekhar tells ET. It accommodates feedback from all stakeholders to build a contemporary legal framework that underpins the needs of a burgeoning economic power and a vibrant democracy, while guaranteeing both national security and individual privacy, he said. Edited excerpts:What is your response to demands for the Bill being referred to a parliament committee? I hope that the MPs take some effort and read this Bill.

A lot of public consultation has happened. It is a very modern, forward-looking bill. Most importantly, this bill must be enacted at the earliest.

We must put brakes on the practice of misusing and exploiting personal data. So every logic points to a good, decisive debate in Parliament and the enactment of the law in this session itself and not kick the can down the road into another standing committee. The privacy bill so to say has gone to the Parliamentary standing committee, the JCP (joint committee of Parliament).

It has done the full nine yards. If there are any doubts about the architecture and gray areas, a debate can solve all of that. With this whole fast paced digitalisation of our economy that is underway, and with more and more citizens coming online, it requires the Bill to be passed at the earliest.What about the concerns surrounding RTIs and exemptions to the government? The Bill says that Right to Information which involves personal information is exempt.

Now, privacy is a fundamental right and that extends to public figures as well. That is what the Bill says. As long as it is not personal data, it is under RTI.