Podcast | TRAI backs data privacy, says ownership of data lies with consumers

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has spoken out in favour of data privacy a few days after ruling in favour of net neutrality.

The telecom regulator said customers’ consent should be made mandatory, and companies do not have the primary rights over the data. TRAI also said consumers should be given the “Right to be Forgotten”.

“Telecom users are real owners of data and rest of players are mere custodians,” TRAI chairman RS Sharma said.

The rights of data controllers, data processors, and other such entities do not override the right of consumers over ownership of their personal information, TRAI added.

All platforms that deal with consumer data should be brought under licensing that applies to telecommunication companies, until a general data protection law has been put in place, TRAI suggested.