SC’s verdict on Right to Privacy as Fundamental right will empower citizens, ensure Data democracy : CUTS Int’l

New Delhi, Aug 24 (KNN) Responding to the verdict by the Supreme Court that declared privacy as a fundamental right, Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS-International) has welcomed the decision of the court.

According to CUTS, the judgment in favour of right to privacy as a fundamental right is a big step towards empowering citizens against encroachment of their privacy. 

Pradeep S. Mehta, Secretary General of CUTS International in a press statement welcomed the court’s verdict and emphasized that the government must acknowledge the importance of the privacy right to the citizens.

He added that Privacy as a fundamental right came into light with reference to the Aadhar, and it being made mandatory by executive orders for many schemes, including filing of income tax returns. Following which various stakeholder and state as well as non-state actors raised concerns over the issue of right to privacy.

Commenting on the vulnerability of the data, CUTS informed that over the past few years there have been multiple cases in which Aadhaar data got leaked, raising huge concerns on the seriousness of protecting citizens’ identity and privacy.

Mehta added that at a time when the country is focussing on going digital under the flagship project of Digital India, the citizens are expected to reveal their personal information with no option of not doing it. A Supreme Court judgement making right to privacy a fundamental right is both critical and revolutionary in the line. The verdict will ensure that citizens take control of their privacy, strengthening the call for data democracy.

CUTS added that now it is the duty of the various stakeholders to make the judgment a reality to help realise the fundamental right. (KNN/ DA)