Campaign Against the DPDP Act Amendment
More than 30 civil society organizations have initiated a campaign to reverse a provision in the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act that amends the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Concerns Raised by Civil Society
- The amendment permits authorities to withhold information containing personal details, limiting access for journalists, activists, and lawyers.
- According to Anjali Bhardwaj, co-convenor of the National Campaign for Peoples' Right to Information (NCPRI), the DPDP Act fails to balance the right to information with the right to privacy.
Specific Impacts of the Amendment
- The Act removes safeguards allowing disclosure of personal information if it serves the public interest.
- This restriction could affect access to electoral roll data, ration, pension, and scholarship information essential for public audits.
- Information about non-performing assets or government contractors might be withheld, impacting public interest.
Role of the Data Protection Board
- The government-controlled Data Protection Board can impose fines up to Rs 500 crore on journalists or individuals if data publication is deemed law-violating.
- This could be used as a tool to suppress critical reporting.
Organizations Involved
- Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF)
- Software Freedom Law Centre (SFLC)
- Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS)
- Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS)
- Article 21 Trust
- Centre for Financial Accountability
- Common Cause
- People’s Union for Civil Liberties
- National Campaign for Peoples’ Right to Information (NCPRI)
