Centre withdraws Data Protection Bill

New Delhi: Union Information and Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday withdrew the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019.

In a statement, Vaishnaw said, "The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 was deliberated in great detail by the Joint Committee of Parliament. 81 amendments were proposed, and 12 recommendations were made towards comprehensive legal framework on digital ecosystem.

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."

While a data protection law has been under consideration for several years, the current Bill had alarmed big tech companies. Civil society groups had also criticised the open-ended exceptions given to the government in the Bill, allowing for surveillance.