Supreme court
Supreme Court Upholds Right to Privacy as Fundamental Right in the Context of Aadhaar
The Supreme Court of India has recently upheld the right to privacy as a fundamental right in the context of the Aadhaar scheme, while also addressing the concerns surrounding the collection and storage of biometric data. Background: The case originated from a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. Parties: The petitioners included retired Justice K.S. Puttaswamy, and the respondents included the Union of India. Legal issues: The primary issue before the court was whether the right to privacy is a fundamental right, and if so, whether the Aadhaar scheme infringes upon this right. Court observations: The court observed that the right to privacy is an intrinsic part of the right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. Significance: The judgment has significant implications for the protection of individual privacy in the digital age, and underscores the need for robust data protection laws in India. The court's decision is expected to have far-reaching consequences for various sectors, including finance, healthcare, and governance.
