"NCPRI Raises Concerns: Data Protection Bill Poses Restrictions on RTI Act"

Data Protection Bill raises concerns for RTI Act, NCPRI cautions government

The upcoming amendment to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, which aims to restrict the sharing of personal information by government agencies, has drawn cautionary remarks from the National Campaign for Peoples' Right to Information (NCPRI).

The proposed Digital Personal Data Protection Bill includes a provision that would significantly modify Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. Currently, Section 8(1)(j) allows the disclosure of personal information if it serves the larger public interest and is related to a public activity or interest while ensuring privacy is not unduly violated.

The data protection bill seeks to eliminate these provisions, thereby preventing government agencies from sharing any private information, regardless of its potential public interest. The NCPRI, a prominent transparency advocacy group, has expressed alarm over the proposed amendment. In a letter to Members of Parliament, the NCPRI emphasized that the amendment would limit the scope of the RTI Act and hinder people's access to information.

They argued that access to detailed information, including personal data, is crucial for empowering individuals to monitor collective well-being and exercise their rights. The NCPRI warned that the proposed bill could hinder public disclosures and create barriers to accessing vital information.

The IT Rules (2021) impose stricter obligations on social media platforms regarding the content shared on their platforms. These rules require platforms to exercise greater diligence in monitoring and moderating content, including addressing concerns related to fake news, misinformation, and harmful content.

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