Context:
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has asked the UIDAI to draft a new Aadhaar law compatible with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023.
- The announcement was made during the Aadhaar Samvaad event, attended by UIDAI officials and ecosystem partners.
Background: Aadhaar and Privacy Law Evolution
- The current Aadhaar Act (2016) was created before India had a horizontal privacy framework applicable across all sectors.
- With the DPDP Act now in place, there’s a need to harmonize Aadhaar regulations to ensure legal consistency and data protection compliance.
Objectives of the Proposed Aadhaar Law Update
- Align Aadhaar data governance with the principles and penalties laid out in the DPDP Act.
- Ensure that public convenience, privacy, and digital trust are central to the updated law.
- Create a modern legal framework that reflects evolving digital infrastructure and citizen expectations.
DPDP Act Highlights
- Applies to government and private entities handling personal data.
- Imposes strict obligations for data protection, consent, and breach reporting.
- Penalties for non-compliance include fines for data leaks or misuse.
Next Steps
- Rules under the DPDP Act are in the final stage of consultation and are expected to be notified soon.
- UIDAI has been officially requested to begin formulating the revised Aadhaar Act.
- A revamped Aadhaar mobile app was unveiled and will be publicly released after testing.
Significance
- The move underscores India’s push towards a privacy-first digital ecosystem.
- A new Aadhaar law could enhance citizen trust, ensure data security, and streamline digital identity management in line with global standards.
