TL;DR Your rights under the Constitution also apply in the digital world. Freedom of speech, privacy, and equality matter online too. Courts have said privacy is a fundamental right. This doc explains how the Constitution connects to digital rights and what you can do.
Constitution and digital life
When you use the internet, mobile apps, or government portals, your personal data and your speech are involved. The Supreme Court has held that privacy is a fundamental right. Freedom of speech and expression extends to online expression, subject to the same reasonable restrictions. Equality means the State should not discriminate in access to digital services where it provides them.
In daily life
You have the right to ask how your data is used when you use government apps or portals. When laws or policies allow the government to access data (e.g. for tax or security), you can ask for clear safeguards and accountability. You can give feedback on draft laws (e.g. data protection, IT rules) when the government invites comments.
What you can do
- Read privacy policies and terms of use of government apps and portals before sharing data.
- When the government invites feedback on draft laws affecting digital rights, send your views (e.g. on mygov.in or the concerned ministry’s website).
- Use grievance portals if you think your data has been misused by a government body; keep a record of your complaint.
Related: Right to Freedom of Religion · Constitution and Freedom of Speech · Understanding Citizen Rights · How to Raise a Public Issue