Safeguarding the digital frontier: Indian Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 and its approach to emerging technologies
In the ever-evolving landscape of emerging technologies, the Indian Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023 has emerged as a pioneering legal framework. It maintains a delicate balance between nurturing innovation and safeguarding individual privacy. Central to this endeavor is exploring how the Act addresses data protection within AI, IoT, and blockchain domains.
The AI Conundrum
Artificial Intelligence’s incredible power lies in its ability to sift through enormous amounts of data and make informed decisions on its own. However, this advanced technology also challenges traditional methods of safeguarding personal information. The Act, cognizant of AI’s potential pitfalls, emphasizes the principles of transparency and accountability. It mandates that organizations employing AI must clearly state their data usage policy to the individuals whose data is being collected (data principals). This bolsters trust and enables individuals to understand and contest automated decisions that impact their lives. Additionally, the Act restricts cross-border data transfers, ensuring that sensitive personal data used in AI systems remains subject to stringent safeguards, even when processed abroad. It reflects the Act’s commitment to preserving personal data’s integrity in the AI age.
IoT: A Web of Data
The IoT, with its interconnected web of devices, presents a multifaceted challenge to data protection. The Act acknowledges the IoT’s potential vulnerabilities and mandates robust security measures for IoT device manufacturers. It places a significant onus on these manufacturers to ensure that data collected from IoT devices is encrypted and protected from unauthorized access. Moreover, the Act promotes the concept of data minimization within IoT ecosystems. It encourages organizations to collect only the data necessary for their intended purposes, mitigating privacy risks associated with excessive data gathering.
