Data law kicks in, minister says fears 'unfounded'

Indians finally have a data law to guard their online information, and the government has now instructed all the data intermediaries – be it the Big Tech, banks, insurance companies, e-commerce players, or other social media and internet giants – to ‘strictly protect’ the privacy of users or run the risk of facing penalties. Ashwini Vaishnaw, the minister for communications and IT, says India’s legislation is unique as it lays out the law through a simplified version.