India’s Data protection bill:Strong on companies,weak on govt. surveillance (opens in new tab)

India is due to introduce a very strong Personal data protection bill in the Parliament today.

Draft bill can be accessed here: https://www.medianama.com/wp-content/uploads/Personal-Data-P...

This bill seems to be drafted on the lines of GDPR but exempts govt. entities.

Strong regulation on social media:

(Page 41): the Central govt may notify “social media intermediary “whose actions have significant impact on electoral democracy, security of the State, public order or the sovereignty and integrity of India” as a significant data fiduciary.

Bill has been referred to joint select committee of both houses of the Parliament.

Unlikely to pass in this session but could be taken up in the budget session in February-March.