Delhi-based not-for-profit launches website to provide privacy related resources

As the conversation around privacy becomes more mainstream, Delhi-based not-for-profit legal services organization Software Freedom Law Centre on Wednesday launched a website called “Privacy Bytes” to provide policy makers, academics, media persons and the public at large with resources on online privacy-related issues, matters and cases in India.

The website, called privacy.sflc.in, has compiled notes on the Right to Privacy; FAQs and information about the existing legal situation regarding privacy in India as well as information about the efforts underway to shape the future of privacy in India. A Twitter handle @privacybytes will also provide the latest updates and resources on privacy.

The website will also feature extensive resources on privacy laws around the world, Indian and international reports on privacy and judicial pronouncements on citizens’ right to privacy.

“Guaranteeing the citizens’ right to privacy is a fundamental step towards realizing the vision of a digitally empowered society in India. As the contours of privacy and data protection laws for Indian citizens are being drawn up, we believe this is the right time to produce a comprehensive repository on all matters related to privacy to spread awareness as well as support an informed analysis and discussion among all stakeholders involved,” said Mishi Choudhary, President at SFLC.in.

In August, a nine-judge bench of India’s Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Right to Privacy is an integral part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty guaranteed in Article 21 of the Constitution of India. It added that the right to privacy is intrinsic to the entire fundamental rights chapter of the Constitution. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) constituted a committee to study and identify key data protection issues and suggest a draft Data Protection Bill.

SFLC.in also said that it will soon publish simple infographics that will explain how to protect and safeguard privacy in the age of smartphones; and will continually add new resources and content on the issue on ‘Privacy Bytes’ website.