Digital India Act 2023
WHY IN NEWS ?
The recent announcement of the Digital India Act, 2023 (DIA) represents a significant step towards establishing a future-ready legal framework for the country’s burgeoning digital ecosystem.
Key Objectives of Digital India Act 2023
- The DIA aims to establish adaptable rules that can keep pace with the ever-changing technological landscapes, ensuring they remain relevant and effective.
- The act provides an easily accessible adjudicatory mechanism for addressing online civil and criminal offenses, delivering timely remedies and enforcing the rule of law on the internet.
- It sets a legislative framework to ensure compliance with overreaching governing principles.
What is the Need for Digital India Act?
- Despite the existence of regulatory elements like Intermediary Guidelines, Digital Media Ethics Code, and data protection rules, they are insufficient when it comes to governing new-age technologies.
- Need for Legal Adaptation: With technological advancements like AI, Blockchain, and IoT, the legal framework must evolve to address their unique challenges. This includes enhancing cybersecurity measures, data protection, and regulating emerging tech sectors.
- The growth of e-commerce, digital transactions, and online content sharing requires updated regulations. The Digital India Act will tackle issues related to consumer protection, electronic contracts, and content moderation on social media platforms.
- To engage effectively in the global digital landscape, India’s regulations must align with international standards and practices.
What are the Challenges Ahead in the Implementation of DIA, 2023
- The review of the “safe harbor” principle for online platforms could potentially impact freedom of expression. Ensuring that the act doesn’t curb this fundamental right is a delicate task.
- Balancing the interests of various stakeholders, including tech giants and citizens’ rights, poses a significant challenge. Ensuring that all voices are heard and considered in the implementation process is essential.
- The act’s approach to data localization is a point of contention. While localization can enhance data protection and security, it may also disrupt cross-border data flows, impacting global businesses that rely on efficient data transfers.
SOURCE – PIB
