Strong Data Protection Law Needed For Safety of Right To Privacy: Chakrabarti

Right to Privacy is a fundamental right of every citizen of this country and a strong data protection law is need of the hour. Justice (Retd) B N Shrikrishna’s Personal Data Protection Bill 2018 is a saviour for privacy and Central Government should get this Bill passed in the House as early as possible, said Debkumar Chakrabarti, Principal Advisor, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) here on Tuesday.

According to Chakrabarti, “Central Government is planning to table the draft, Personal Data Protection Bill in Parliament by December after holding consultations with different ministries and hopefully it will be materialised thereafter.” The Principal Advisor was in the city to attend the valedictory programme of International Course on “Licensing in a Convergent Environment”organised by Regional Telecom Training Centre of BSNL at their premises in Seminary Hills.

In the current era of technology where you get everything in your mobile phones, at this situation security should come first. For example, some telecom operators are launching their new technology where you will get broadband, landline, mobile, TV channels every thing in a single machine. Somehow, it will hamper the personal data of consumers. At this situation the draft will act for the safety of precious personal data, said Chakrabarti.

While asked him about Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC), Chakrabarti said that satellites are important for telecommunication field. NAVIC has come in the existence to cater our defence sector needs, however it will take time to utilise this technology for commercial use.

While talking about data content, Chakrabarti said that TRAI is vigilant over the online contents that are providing by different companies like Netflix and Amazon because it can hamper personal data and security at a time.We have banned many online and satellite contents that can challenge our countries internal security but a proper regulator is needed to curb malpractice, he added.

Regional Telecom Training Centre (RTTC) of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) conducted a seven-day International Course on “Licensing in a Convergent Environment” at their premises. 12 delegates from nine different countries of Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Laos, Malaysia, Mangolia, Nepal, Vietnam and Iran participated in this training course.

Debkumar Chakrabarti was the chief guest of the concluding programme and Dr Manish Shukla, General Manager and Principal, RTTC presided over the event. All participants shared their views about the course during the event.

During this course, senior officials of Department of Telecommunication (DOT), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) delivered lectures and presentations on different topics. All participants appreciated the presentations and admired the role played by India on this topic in the region. All participants gave syndicate presentation about the regulatory frame work of their respective countries. The participants also visited Pench Tiger Reserve during their training period. – The Hitavada