The government expects the expert committee for framing a data protection law to submit its report by the end of this year, which could bring greater clarity on data privacy requirements that could be imposed on technology majors like Google and Facebook.
“We expect the committee, led by former Supreme Court judge Justice B.N. Srikrishna, to submit its report by the end of this year,” Minister for Electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
Asked about protection of users’ data with companies such as Google and Facebook, the Minister said while he appreciates how these firms are helping in empowering the citizens, “they will need to respect and follow the law of the land.”
A top official in the government said more clarity of the laws for such firms will come in once the report of the committee is received.
“The committee has already met twice… whether there is a need for a separate law or introducing regulations under the IT Act… the government is open to both options but that will totally depend on the nature of the recommendations the committee gives,” the official added.
The government had constituted a 10-member committee to identify “key data protection issues” and recommend a framework for data protection law in the country.