Privacy vs. Transparency: The RTI Dilemma

The Right to Information Act was a historic piece of legislation that gave ordinary citizens a legally enforceable means to seek information about the government’s functioning – a small step towards accountability.

But over the years, governments have progressively diluted the provisions of this law. The latest blow to the RTI is in the form of Section 44 (3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. This law will come into force once the Rules under it are notified, which is expected to happen this month. law’s Rules are notified, and that is expected to happen any time now.

How does Section 44 (3) of the DPDP Act weaken the Right to Information Act? Why is the Opposition demanding that it be repealed? And what are the consequences for citizens if this Section stays?

Guest: Anjali Bhardwaj, founder of the Satark Nagarik Sangathan and co-convenor of the National Campaign for the People’s Right to Information (NCPRI).

Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu

Edited by Shiva Raj

Recorded and Produced by Jude Francis Weston