Indeed though the Personal Data Protection Bill is yet to come into law, big tech enterprises like Google, Meta, Amazon and colorful e-commerce platforms are liable to be penalised for participating users’ data with each other if consumers flag similar cases. A elderly consumer affairs department functionary told FE that under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the department can take action and issue directions to similar enterprises. “Since the data belongs to a consumer, if the consumer feels that their data is being participated amongst enterprises without their express concurrence, they’re free to approach us under the Consumer Protection Act,” the functionary said.
A typical case of client data participating happens when a particular hunt related feed appears on Facebook matching what the consumer searched on Google. This indicates that stoner data is being participated in by big tech enterprises, the functionary explained. Users can approach the consumer affairs department if the data sharing is done without the stoner concurrence. “The Consumer Protection Act and Central Consumer Protection Authority are empowered to act on similar complaints,” the functionary added. The department of consumer affairs is vested with powers to penalise similar companies for misleading announcements and illegal trade practices under the Consumer Protection Act.
In case of any illegal or restrictive trade practices or unconscionable exploitation of consumers, consumers have the right to seek redressal. still, there have been several difficulties around the Bill. After IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said last week that the Administrative panel gave ‘ big thumbs up ’ to the draft Bill, Member of Parliament (MP) Karti Chidambaram refuted the Centre’s claims. He added that the panel, during the primary discussion on the Bill in December last time, had flagged a slew of issues.