Privacy as fundamental right to boost digital services: Nasscom

It will ensure that protection of citizen's privacy is a cardinal principle, Nasscom president said

The Supreme Court's declaring privacy as a fundamental right will enhance citizens' trust in digital services and help in their wider adoption, IT industry body Nasscom said on Thursday.

In a landmark decision, a nine-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar has ruled that "right to privacy is an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty under Article 21 and entire Part III of the Constitution".

Nasscom President R Chandrashekhar said the ruling also "significantly boosts India's attractiveness as a safe destination for global sourcing".

It will ensure that protection of citizen's privacy is a "cardinal principle" in India's growing digital economy, he said.

Citizen's trust in digital services is a prerequisite for widespread digital adoption, he noted.

With falling data and smartphone costs, adoption of digital services has seen a manifold growth in the country. However, concerns around security of the user data has also emerged as a matter of debate, particularly with reference to Aadhaar.

Rama Vedashree, CEO of Data Security Council of India (DSCI) -- a part of Nasscom -- said the body has always advocated for a stronger data security regime in the country.

"...This judgement will further reinforce industry efforts and resolve to provide necessary assurance in this regard," Vedashree said.

Nasscom and DSCI have asserted that they will continue to work with the government in accelerating the enforcement framework.