Social Media Freedom

In Need of Privacy

All about state sponsored encroachments to fundamental rights.

It has been a few years after the famous Puttaswamy judgment, and Indians are still uncertain about their own privacy. How long will this uncertainty prevail? No one can predict the answer, because the acts of the government themselves are boosters to organized data thefts and they appreciate the manipulation of the citizens' privacy. The justification for the same is nothing but national security and interest. The neo government policies regarding data such as the concepts of 'data is new oil',' data is public good' catalyzes the state sponsored encroachments.

It was Srikrishna commission, which suggested a rampant regulation over citizens' personal data, and envisaged the government to make use of it in the national interest. The term ‘national interest’ has later got defined as the interest of a particular group.  Nevertheless, a newly published economic survey also masked the worst effects of least protected personal data by quoting the national interest. 

While Puttaswamy judgment put a stay over the unnecessary surveillance of the personal data and asked the state to make statute over the same, it also enlisted the circumstances when state can deny it's citizens from having the right to privacy. On a legitimate legal need, governments can make rules over an inherent natural right to privacy, provided possible alternatives are envisaged. Right to privacy comes under articles 21, 14 and 19 of the constitution of India. 

Upcoming regulations over social media and the ongoing data thefts are least appreciable, especially when it comes from the government of a socialist, democratic republic. Fake news spread is an ethical issue rather than a technical or administrative drawbacks. The check should begin from grassroots, ie. individual. Until then, no rule or technology would be able to completely prevent fake news. Moreover, even before the arrival of social media platforms, fake news spread was a problem in India. This fact further reduces the chances of having the fake news spread curbed by means of technology change or law.  

Being a social animal, men found it difficult to stay isolated from the outer world. Although some of us are supporting the move of government in Kashmir, it will not be that very easy to withstand when the same situation arrives in our part of the country. Imagine a boss who always dictates do's and don'ts for you, and punish you hardly on failure of the same. He will even intrude and examine your most personal matters on a regular basis. You will be sick and tired of him, won't you? This would be the actual picture of India if such laws come in action. 

We need no more laws, but a better administration and awareness. Let the lessons of well behavior spread from top. A revolution must come from the masses and not from aristocracy. If a democratic government fails to fetch the interests of people then what makes it different from the British rule?