38.6c New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 28, 2024
Executive

Is Information & Broadcasting Ministry interfering in our Privacy?

By LawStreet News Network      19 April, 2018 03:22 AM      0 Comments

Right to Privacy is a Fundamental Right which is implicit in the right to life and liberty guaranteed to the citizens of this country by Article 21 of the Constitution of India. This is a cherished constitutional value, and it is crucial that human beings be allowed domains of freedom that are free of public scrutiny unless they act in an unlawful manner.

On August 24, 2017, the Supreme Court of India in a historic judgment declared the right to privacy as a fundamental right protected under the Indian Constitution. In declaring that this right stems from the fundamental right to life and liberty, the Court's decision has far-reaching consequences. A nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court in the case of Puttuswamy v. Union of Indiahad declared that the right to privacy is a fundamental right protected under Part III of the Constitution of India. While primarily focused on the individual's right against the State for violations of their privacy, this landmark judgment will have repercussions across both State and non-State actors and will likely result in the enactment of a comprehensive law on privacy.

A shocking statement has come from the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in which they have proposed of installing a chip in the new set-top boxes used by digital satellite service providers to know what viewers are watching on TV.

In this regard, the I & B ministry feels that viewership figures for every channel will be more authentic through the method of tracking viewership through the chip, and this will help advertisers as well as Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) to spend their advertising expenditure wisely, and only those channels which are mostly watched will get promoted.

At a time where the judiciary is extremely concerned about maintaining the individual privacy of the people of India. It is an undesired and unsolicited interference in the personal lives/choices of the citizens by way of peeping through their television viewing. It is nobody's domain to keep a track on ones viewing choices.

A person, who doesn't want to be named raising his concern said that whatever may be the reason given by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, the fact remains that any such interference, scrutiny, research or peeping on the activities amounts to impinging upon the privacy domain of a citizen which is unjustified and arbitrary by all means. Any such move on the part of the government is most likely to be challenged in the court of law, and the Hon'ble court may also be pleased to strike down the impugned order.



Share this article:

User Avatar
About:


Leave a feedback about this
TRENDING NEWS

sc-declines-to-reconsider-judgement-holding-conspiracy-to-be-scheduled-offence-under-pmla-only-if-offence-specifically-mentioned
Trending Judiciary
SC declines to reconsider judgement holding conspiracy to be scheduled offence under PMLA only if offence specifically mentioned [Read Order]

Supreme Court declines review, confirms conspiracy must relate to a scheduled offence under PMLA, dismissing appeal on money laundering charges.

27 March, 2024 07:40 PM
arvind-kejriwals-plea-for-interim-release-rejected-by-delhi-high-court
Trending Judiciary
Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release rejected by Delhi High Court [Read Order]

Delhi High Court rejects Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release in money laundering case related to liquor policy scam, pending ED's response.

28 March, 2024 10:50 AM

TOP STORIES

global-entertainment-giants-warner-bros-netflix-amazon-get-relief-from-delhi-hc-in-copyright-protection-case
Trending Business
Global entertainment giants Warner Bros, Netflix, Amazon get relief from Delhi HC in copyright protection case

Delhi HC grants relief to global entertainment giants like Netflix, Amazon, Warner Bros, ordering takedown of copyrighted content on rogue websites.

22 March, 2024 12:13 PM
arvind-kejriwal-arrested-can-cm-administer-a-region-while-being-in-jail
Trending Top Stories
Arvind Kejriwal Arrested | Can CM administer a region while being in jail?

Will President's rule be imposed in Delhi after Kejriwal’s arrest? Read the full article to know more.

22 March, 2024 03:16 PM
merely-because-you-are-politician-cant-bypass-statutory-remedies-procedure-sc-refuses-to-consider-bail-by-kavitha
Trending Judiciary
'Merely because you are politician, can't bypass statutory remedies, procedure,' SC refuses to consider bail by Kavitha

Supreme Court denies bail to politician Kavitha in Delhi Liquor Policy Scam; ED alleges Rs 100 crore illegal gratification.

22 March, 2024 03:34 PM
ponmudi-to-be-sworn-in-as-minister-tn-governor-relents-before-sc
Trending Judiciary
Ponmudi to be sworn in as Minister, TN Governor relents before SC

Tamil Nadu Governor relents to Supreme Court's order, agrees to swear in DMK leader K Ponmudi as Minister after court's rap.

22 March, 2024 03:54 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email