Privacy and Data Protection in India’s Legal Framework

Globally, privacy has become a fundamental human right, and the Indian Constitution recognizes it as such under Article 21. As society digitizes, along with technological advancements, safeguarding personal data and privacy has become increasingly difficult. In India, privacy rights have been acknowledged through judicial interpretations and legislative measures, such as the Information Technology Act and the proposed Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, but comprehensive protection against data misuse and breaches remains a challenge. In this paper, we examine the evolution of privacy as a legal right in India, analyze the existing legal framework, and discuss its limitations. The study compares India's approach to data protection with international standards such as the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The report emphasizes the necessity of robust mechanisms to ensure accountability, secure sensitive information, and address emerging privacy concerns in the digital age, improving the legal framework for privacy and data protection in India.