New Aadhaar Law Planned to Match DPDP Act 2023
Why in the news
The government decided to overhaul the Aadhaar legal framework so it fits with India’s new data protection statute.
Key facts
- Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told UIDAI to prepare a revised law matching the DPDP Act, 2023, at the Aadhaar Samvaad event.
- The Aadhaar Act, 2016 was framed before a horizontal privacy framework existed.
- Aims: apply the DPDP principles and penalties to Aadhaar data, keep convenience, privacy and digital trust central, and modernise the legal base.
- A revamped Aadhaar app was shown and will be released after testing.
About the DPDP Act
- Covers both government and private bodies handling personal data.
- Sets strict duties on protection, consent and breach reporting.
- Fines apply for leaks or misuse.
- Its rules were in the last stage of consultation, with notification expected soon.
Significance
- Supports a privacy-first digital ecosystem.
- May raise citizen trust and tighten data security and identity management.
Exam angle
- Body asked to draft: UIDAI.
- Existing law: Aadhaar Act, 2016; new alignment: DPDP Act, 2023.