MeitY Flags Data Privacy Risks Posed By Google, Other Big Tech Players

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has expressed concern about the data privacy risks posed by big tech companies such as Google, Alibaba, Airbnb, Amazon, Uber and Facebook.

These concerns were flagged by MeitY in an internal presentation on the broader theme of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, Moneycontrol reported.

Inc42 was not able to independently verify the document.

MeitY is especially concerned about how companies collect user data through an individual’s purchases, browsing habits and preferences.

Big tech firms reveal “patterns, trends and associations”, leaving users “vulnerable”, the presentation reportedly highlighted.

Further, MeitY has also voiced concerns about the spike in data usage caused by the tech giants.

The development comes at a time when tech giants like Google, Apple, Meta and Amazon are under scrutiny for abusing their dominant position in multiple markets to limit competition.

Amid the recent feud between Indian startups and Google, the CCI ordered an investigation into the search giant’s contentious choice billing system.

In 2022, the CCI slapped Google India with a fine of INR 1,337 Cr for engaging in unfair business practices in the Indian market.

In a move to crack down on the alleged anti-competitive practices employed by big tech companies, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs released the draft Digital Competition Bill earlier this year.

The bill also entrusts the big tech firms with various obligations, spanning aspects such as prevention of fraud, cybersecurity, prevention of trademark and copyright infringement, compliance to local laws, among others.

While the draft Digital Competition Bill has been welcomed by more than three dozen homegrown startups including the likes of Matrimony.com, TrulyMadly, Innov8, tech giants such as Meta, Amazon and Google have opposed it, arguing that the regulations proposed under the bill are stricter than EU laws.

Last year, the government passed the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill to oversee digital processing of data of Indians. The bill introduced the concept of user consent, meaning that data can only be processed on prior permission of the user and only for lawful and specified legitimate purposes.