Thread by @internetfreedom

As a follow up to our analysis and outreach on the Report of the Standing Committee on the DNA Bill, we have written to the Department of Biotechnology highlighting our concerns regarding privacy and surveillance, and asked that the Bill be redrafted.
1/n
internetfreedom.in/say-no-to-dna-…

The sensitive nature of DNA data necessitates extreme caution w.r.t. large scale data processing. Given reliability, privacy, data protection, surveillance, profiling, capacity building, and overreach concerns, we advocate for a complete redraft of the DNA Bill, 2019.
2/n

1. DNA tech is not infallible. This is compounded by a lack of capacity in india.
2. DNA profiling may fail privacy standards in the landmark Puttaswamy privacy judgement.
3. The absence of a robust data protection law allows misuse of DNA data by state or private actors.
3/n

4. As said before, excessive discretionary powers granted to the government have not been acknowledged.
5. Improper use of DNA tech will lead to discriminatory DNA profiling of citizens as has been admitted by the Committee itself.

We hence ask that the Bill be redrafted.
4/n

The Bill must be reviewed to ensure it is consistent with Puttaswamy judgement standards and harmonised with the Personal Data Protection Bill. Both tasks must be carried by the Data Protection Authority. Remedies to those whose data is used unlawfully must be specified.
5/n

The scope must be reduced to preclude collection of crime scene indices+data of suspects/undertrials with restricted use of data and none in civil proceedings. Overrides to consent must be rethought. Discretionary powers must be reduced and appropriate provisions codified.
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