One verdict that impacts three major cases -Governance Now

One verdict that impacts three major cases

Aadhaar, online freedom of expression and homosexuality would have to be considered on a case-to-case basis following the right to privacy verdict

GN Bureau | August 24, 2017

#supreme court #right to privacy #aadhaar

The supreme court’s verdict upholding privacy as a fundamental right is likely to have an impact on at least three major cases – Aadhaar, online freedom of expression and homosexuality.

On Aadhaar, the government would now have to defend itself in the supreme court where it has submitted that it is essential to collect biometric details of the citizens. The government has repeatedly assured that the people are well protected.

Petitioners have said that forcing people to use Aadhaar is an infringement of their right to privacy. They say that Aadhaar began as a voluntary effort and slowly the government has made it mandatory for various government schemes.

Data protection is at the crux of the Aadhaar debate.

In April 2017, when the apex court was hearing the WhatsApp privacy policy case, Attorney general Mukul Rohatgi told a five-judge constitution bench that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India was in the process of evolving the data protection framework.

People share loads of information on Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp and there is a need for protecting that data.

In 2015, the Supreme Court had struck down section 66A of the IT act under which many people were arrested for criticising politicians, government or for their satirical overtones.

The supreme court had upheld section 377, effectively criminalizing consensual homosexual activity between two consenting adults.

The LGTB activists have repeatedly stressed that what happens in their bedroom is private and the state cannot interfere.

The latest verdict would most likely open the debate on privacy with regard to the LGBT community.

With the supreme court deciding that privacy is a fundamental right, the other major cases would have to dealt on a case-to-case basis.

Comments

Other News

Retail inflation crosses 6% mark

Retail inflation based on Consumer Price Index for October has reached 6.09%, whereas year-on-year food inflation, based on Consumer Food Price Index, for October is 8.94%, an official release said on Thursday. Year-on-year inflation rate based on All India Consumer Price I

Cabinet approves museum at North-South Block complex

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday has approved the development of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum (YYBM) at the North and South Block Complex, New Delhi, at an estimated total project cost of ₹3,230 crore, as appraised by the Public Investmen

Cabinet approves extension of Noida metro corridor

The Union Cabinet, chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi, has approved the extension of Aqua Line Metro Rail Corridor from Noida Sector-51 to Greater Noida Sector-04 of Noida Metro Rail Project with corridor for a length of 8.449 km with 5 elevated stations. On operationalization of this corridor, Noid

India reaffirms commitment to climate multilateralism

India has reaffirmed its commitment to climate multilateralism and the principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), calling for a fair, equitable and ambitious outcome at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framewo

How the mind can help the body heal itself

Why do some people recover from illness against all odds? Can our beliefs, emotions and consciousness influence the body’s ability to heal? Drawing on over three decades of experience in medicine, research and medical innovation, internationally trained ophthalmologist and author Dr Dinesh Verma ex

1,364 anti-cancer formulations to cost less from today

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, has capped trade margins on the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of 137 anti-cancer drugs. This was based on the recommendations of an Expert Committee constitute