Why data protection policies for Indian users different from European users: SC asks Google to explain

Delhi (India), 17th Jan 2023: The Supreme Court of India has asked Google to explain why it has different data protection and privacy policies for Indian users compared to those in the European Union.

The court has given the company two weeks to respond to the notice.

The case was brought to the court’s attention by a non-profit organization, which claimed that Google’s Indian subsidiary, Google India, has less stringent data protection policies compared to the parent company’s policies for users in the European Union. The organization argued that this could put the personal data of Indian users at risk.

In response to the notice, Google said that it is committed to protecting the privacy and security of its users’ data and that it has “robust” data protection policies in place. The company also stated that it is in compliance with all Indian laws and regulations regarding data protection.

The Supreme Court’s notice to Google comes at a time when the Indian government is looking to strengthen its data protection laws. In December 2019, the government introduced the Personal Data Protection Bill, which aims to give Indian citizens greater control over their personal data and strengthen the rights of data subjects. The bill is currently being considered by a parliamentary committee.

The court’s notice to Google also highlights the growing concerns over the collection, storage, and use of personal data by tech companies. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came into effect in 2018, has set a global standard for data protection and has placed significant responsibility on companies to protect the personal data of EU citizens.

The case highlights the growing concerns over the collection, storage, and use of personal data by tech companies and the need for stronger data protection laws in India. Google has two weeks to respond to the notice and has stated that it is committed to protecting the privacy and security of its users’ data and that it is in compliance with all Indian laws and regulations regarding data protection.