The Union government has withdrawn the Personal Data Protection Bill after a joint parliamentary panel suggested 81 changes to it.
The Centre is now working on a comprehensive legal framework to bring in a new bill as per the recommendations of the joint parliamentary committee.
Fresh consultations will be held with all stakeholders including social media companies and data activists.
“Considering the report of the JCP, a comprehensive legal framework is being worked upon. Hence, in the circumstances, it is proposed to withdraw The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 and present a new bill that fits into the comprehensive legal framework,” Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said in Lok Sabha.
The new bill is likely to be tabled in the next Parliament session.
Earlier, companies had raised issues over the bill that sought to regulate how an individual’s data can be used by companies and the government.
The PDP Bill was introduced in December, 2019, seeking to provide for protection of the personal data of individuals and establish a Data Protection Authority. However, Congress and the TMC opposed the Bill claiming it violated the fundamental rights of citizens. It was then sent to a joint committee of Parliament for deliberation.
