The Need for Data Privacy in the Age of Technology

Ajay Bhargava, Partner, Khaitan & Co., India

Privacy Breaches are not a recent occurrence. It can be said that large scale privacy breaches such as the LinkedIn Privacy breach of 2021 can be attributed to the modern-day technology and internet. But breaches through technology have been occurring ever since the technology has existed. In 1867, the world found an instantaneous method of communication, Graham Bell’s Telephone. By the 1890’s Phone tapping was already a thing, where the governments were listening to private conversations for different purposes. With the advent of Computers, viruses such as Rabbit Virus and Trojan horse came in. Eventually internet took over the world opening a whole new dimension of crimes. Hacking was difficult to trace and easy to commit. Then came Artificial Intelligence. The ultimate data collector, capable of gathering way more data in less time leading to the age of internet data and privacy violations. Thus, technology always has had side effects on privacy.

Ajay Bhargava is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution Group in Khaitan & Co. He specializes in Civil, Criminal & Corporate Litigation with 25 years of experience. Ajay’s fora of practice includes Supreme Court, High Courts, Arbitration (International and Domestic), Quasi Judicial Tribunals (National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) and National Green Tribunal etc.). He advises on Constitutional matters, Civil & Criminal matters, IPR laws, Employment Laws and on corporate