Why India needs a Personal Data Protection law?

Hey, it’s me Rejah back here with #2 of the All Things AppSec newsletter. In the previous newsletter, we discussed the Top 5 common API security threats (it’s a 2-min read, do check it out if you missed it).??

This time?let’s?dive into an interesting topic developing in the subcontinent of India, the Personal Data Protection bill.??

Why India needs a Personal Data Protection law??

The rapid advancement of technology has brought with it a host of new opportunities, but it has also raised important concerns about how personal data is collected, stored, and used.?

In today's digital age, personal data is being collected and shared at an unprecedented rate, and it's only going to increase with each passing day. This has made it vital for India to have a Personal Data Protection law in place to safeguard the personal data of its citizens.?

In the initial stages, the goal of collecting data was to help businesses make better decisions and serve their users with relevant information. But as we have seen in recent times, personal data can also be used for cyber warfare between countries, making data protection even more important. ?

The Personal Data Protection Bill is a proposed law that once sanctioned as law in the parliament, will help protect personal data from being misused or abused, and give individuals more control over their personal data.?

One of the key features of the Personal Data Protection Bill is "data protection by design and default." This means that organizations (Data Fiduciaries) must think about protecting data at every stage of their products and services lifecycle.?

This is important because often, data breaches occur because companies have not adequately protected the data they collect, and not because of any malicious intent. ?

By ensuring that data protection is integrated into the design of products and services, companies can better safeguard the personal data of their users.?

Another important aspect of the Personal Data Protection Bill is the creation of a Data Protection Authority of India (DPA).?

DPA will be responsible for making sure that the law is followed and for handling any complaints.?This is important because, without an authority to oversee data protection, it would be difficult to ensure that companies are following the law and that individuals' rights are being protected.?

The Personal Data Protection Bill also includes provisions to give individuals (Data Principals) more control over their personal data. ?

For example, individuals will have the right to know what data is being collected about them and to access and delete that data if they wish. This is particularly important in today's digital age where personal data is being collected on a massive scale. By giving individuals more control over their personal data, they can better protect themselves against potential breaches and misuse of their data.?

The Personal Data Protection Bill is important for protecting personal data in India and building trust in the digital economy. As India continues to grow and become more connected, it is crucial that the bill is passed and implemented soon, so that citizens can feel secure in the knowledge that their personal data is being protected.?

Furthermore, with an increase in digital transactions and e-commerce, data privacy and protection have become a major concern as data breaches become more frequent and sophisticated. ?

As more transactions occur online, the security of information becomes paramount to the growth of the digital economy of India. It is important that India's citizens have the same level of data protection as those in other countries.?

In conclusion, The Personal Data Protection Bill is a much-needed step in the right direction for India. Creating a framework for protecting personal data, it will help to safeguard the rights of individuals, promote trust in the digital economy and encourage innovation. ?

The Data Protection Authority (DPA) will help in ensuring compliance and provide redress for individuals in case of a breach. And data protection by design and default will encourage companies to be more proactive in safeguarding their user's personal data. ?

It is critical that the bill is passed and implemented as soon as possible so that India can continue to thrive in the digital age while protecting the personal data of its citizens.?

If you’d like to get into the weeds and learn more about PDP, we covered a more detailed article with opinions from 7 experts on our blog. (Do check it out here??)?

All right, that’s it for today’s edition of All Things AppSec. Special thanks to?Adarsh Nair,?Ashok Kurian Panjikaran,?Georgie Kurien,?Manisha Gosh,?Sunil Varkey,?Vandana Verma, and?Zuhair E?for contributing their valuable insights and?Deepraj R for co-authoring this edition of the newsletter. ?

See you all in 2 weeks with #3!?