Government lists Personal Data Protection Bill ahead of winter session

The Personal Data Protection Bill is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament in Winter Session starting from 18 Nov. The bill deals with handling and processing of consumer data by corporates, including restrictions and penalties. The Bill proposals are based on the Justice B N Srikrishna committee report submitted in July 2018. The government has listed it as Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019. According to the provisions of businesses must seek explicit consent for data they collect on consumers; use the information sparingly and only for purposes stated; and store “sensitive” consumer data only within Indian borders. The bill also proposes a fine of up to Rs 15 crore of 4 per cent of the firm’s turnover in case of breach, and setting up of a data protection authority (DPA), an appellate authority that will decide on such matters.