Right to Privacy: Govt welcomes SC judgment, says fundamental right is not 'absolute'

Speaking on Aadhaar, Prasad said the BJP government that legal framework for protect data.

In a first media briefing after the Supreme Court verdict on Right to Privacy, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad welcomed the decision, saying Right to privacy is not absolute and is subject to reasonable restrictions.

At the outset, he welcomed Supreme Court Constitution bench's verdict and said that the government was also of the view that Right to Privacy should be a fundamental right. He said, "Even a fundamental Right to Privacy has limitations, that need to be identified on case-to-case basis."

Soon, hitting out at Congress, he questioned their commitment to 'protecting individual liberties'. Prasad asked, ''Since morning Congress is targeting us and Left has also joined them. What is the Congress' record of protecting individual liberty?''

Speaking on Aadhaar, Prasad said the BJP government made Aadhaar law to protect the data. "Aadhaar during UPA regime had no protection of law. We made Aadhaar law and provided legal framework for protection its data.''

He further added, "Government has formed a high-powered committee for data protection, which the Supreme Court has noted."

To a question on how the SC judgment will impact data collection by WhatsApp, Facebook, Prasad said, ''The Modi government is proud to see the evolution of a digital India. We are happy India is a robust digital power. And we are taking care of security... We have already outlined data is very important. With respect for data collection, there's a committee and we will wait for the panel's report".

OneIndia News