Kochi, December 18, 2017: Delhi-based not-for-profit legal services organization SFLC.in today organized a public discussion on ‘Privacy & Data Protection: The Road Ahead’ today in Kochi, Kerala. The discussion was organized in light of recent developments in India’s privacy and data protection landscape, including a historic decision by a nine-judge Bench of the Supreme Court upholding the fundamental right to privacy, the constitution of an expert committee on data protection by the Government of India, and the publication of a white paper by said committee seeking public comments on key aspects of a data protection legislation.
The discussion consisted of: (i) a keynote address by Hon’ble Justice A K Jayasankaran Nambiar (Judge, Kerala High Court) on the historical evolution of privacy and the need to have a public consultation before laws are formulated; (ii) a presentation by Prasanth Sugathan (Legal Director, SFLC.in) on the European data protection framework which often serves as a point of reference for legislators, including GDPR compliance requirements, the need to have a data protection law in India, terms such as data controller and data processor, and concepts such as notice and consent; (iii) a panel discussion on the Indian framework; and (iv) a networking dinner. The panel consisted of Dr. Joseph Francis (Assistant Professor, Rajagiri School of Business), Mr. Jayakrishnan Kurup (Co-Founder and Director, Xtend technologies), Mr. Raghul Sudheesh (Editor-in-Chief at Indian Jurist), and was moderated by Prasanth Sugathan.
The panel introduced 72 attendees to the issues of Right to Privacy, current status of privacy and data protection in India, the nine-member expert committee’s white paper on data protection framework in India, and discussed specific issues of data protection such as consent, notice, sensitive personal data, right to access, right to rectification, enforcement models, accountability and enforcement tools, data breach notifications and categorization of data controllers, among others. People voiced concerns about collection of their data by apps, theft of their data from devices and issues with legal compliance. The discussion took place in English and Malayalam.
About SFLC.in:
SFLC.IN is a donor supported legal services organisation that brings together lawyers, policy analysts, technologists, and students to protect freedom in the digital world. SFLC.IN promotes innovation and open access to knowledge by helping developers make great Free and Open Source Software, protect privacy and civil liberties for citizens in the digital world by educating and providing free legal advice and help policy makers make informed and just decisions with the use and adoption of technology. You can support their work by making tax-deductible donations and providing feedback.
