On 28 April, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team issued guidance on information security practices, procedure, prevention, response and reporting of cyber incidents under the Information Technology Act. Effective 60 days after issue, the guidance includes mandatory cyber-incident reporting to CERT-In and follows the agency’s identification of gaps and issues in facilitating incident-response measures. “These directions shall enhance overall cyber security posture and ensure safe & tr... Read More

The Economic Times reports Indian officials are considering a complete re-draft of the Data Protection Bill 2019. An unnamed source involved in the pitch for fresh legislation said, "a new Bill altogether which is aligned with the current times" is being considered because lawmakers can "only tweak the clauses to some extent" with where the DPB stands now. Another source indicated the current DPB framework doesn't reflect India's advanced technology market and compliance with the existing bill "... Read More

MediaNama reports on the impacts India’s proposed Data Protection Bill is likely to have on the online advertising industry. As proposed, the bill requires specific, informed and clear user consent for personalized advertising, implements potential compliance burdens, restrictions on cross-border data transfers, and more. Miglani Varma & Co. Managing Partner Nikhil Varma said the “gamut of changes” the bill creates “is bound to have tremendous impact on how online advertising has been conduc... Read More

The Indian Parliament moved one step closer to passing what would be the nation’s first comprehensive data protection law when, in December, a joint committee released a long-awaited report that recommended substantial changes to the original version of the comprehensive legislation. Although Parliament has yet to submit a version of the bill for a final vote, many experts think that will happen this year.  The report is the result of a two-year deliberation by the committee during which it con... Read More

A Joint Parliamentary Committee's final report on India's Personal Data Protection Bill has been tabled in Parliament's two chambers. Lok Sabha outlined the report, which features 81 recommendations from the JPC and 150 corrections and improvements to various provisions. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have until the end of the Winter Session Dec. 23 to consider and approve the report before acting on the bill, which may be considered in the current session or a future session. Key discrepancies remai... Read More