Thread by @gautambhatia88

Hello, everyone. We are happy to share with you the "Indian Privacy Code, 2018", a model, citizens bill on data protection that safeguards your right to privacy:

saveourprivacy.in

A brief, explanatory thread follows.

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The Indian Privacy Code is part of a community, public interest project called, “Save Our Privacy”, spearheaded by the Internet Freedom Foundation (@internetfreedom).

You can read the IFF's brief statement here:

internetfreedom.in/saveourprivacy…

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The Indian Privacy Code is a comprehensive draft law that covers privacy, data protection, surveillance reform, the right to information, and many other aspects. It places individual rights at its heart, and carries forward the SC's right to privacy judgment.

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You can access the Indian Privacy Code here:

saveourprivacy.in/bill

It's been drafted by many of the lawyers who were involved in the Aadhaar case. It is an inclusive and participatory process: on the website, you can comment on each and every clause of the draft bill.

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The Privacy Code is best on seven core principles. You can access them here:

saveourprivacy.in/principles

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Principle 1: Individual rights are at the center of privacy and data protection.

We do not see a clash between privacy and innovation. We think that innovation must serve individual dignity and autonomy. Protecting the individual promotes innovation in a sustainable way.

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Principle 2: A data protection law must be based on privacy principles. It ought to take forward the principles identified by the A.P. Shah Committee (2011), the Supreme Court's right to privacy judgment (2017), and global best practices.

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Principle 3: A strong Privacy Commission must be created to enforce the privacy principles. It must be independent, have rule-making powers (to ensure law keeps up with technology), and be guided by public consultations.

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Principle 4: The Government should respect user privacy. We support the use of digital technologies for public benefit. However, they should not be privileged over fundamental rights. Sharing of data cannot be made a pre-requisite for availing essential services.

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Principle 5: A complete Privacy Code comes with surveillance reform. Any data protection law must Any data protection law must limit mass or “dragnet” surveillance, and lay down clear rules, with legal remedies, for when individual surveillance is permitted.

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Principle 6: The right to information must be strengthened and protected. Privacy protections which already exist under the Right to Information Act and are made subject to public interest, need to be preserved.

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Principle 7: International protections and harmonisation to protect the open internet must be incorporated. Care and caution should be taken to preserve the global character of the open internet.

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Comments, thoughts, or criticisms of the seven principles (saveourprivacy.in/principles)? Write to us at contact at saveourprivacy dot in.

Feedback on the Bill? Comment in-line on the draft itself: saveourprivacy.in/bill

This is a wholly inclusive and participatory process.
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We have sent a copy of the Indian Privacy Code to the Justice Srikrishna Committee, which is in the process of drafting a report on Data Protection law for India. Read our letter to the Srikrishna Committee here:

drive.google.com/file/d/1NSKyMU…

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In the coming days and weeks, we hope to have a round of public consultations and collaborative engagements to produce a truly Citizen-centric model privacy law, as well as engaging with the work of the Srikrishna Committee in a spirit of constructiveness.

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If you agree with our Principles and with the Bill, we request you to add your name in support of the endeavour:

saveourprivacy.in/individuals/pl…

We will update you on developments on our blog:
saveourprivacy.in/blog

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We look forward to your participation, engagement, criticism, and support.

Thank you. :)

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