Parliament passes new digital privacy protection bill

Parliament has passed sweeping new digital privacy legislation that will fundamentally change how technology companies collect, store, and use personal data. The Digital Privacy Protection Act, approved with a comfortable majority of 342 to 198, gives citizens unprecedented control over their online information.

Under the new law, companies must obtain explicit consent before collecting any personal data, provide clear explanations of how information will be used, and allow users to delete their data permanently with a single request. Violations can result in fines of up to 6% of global annual revenue.

Industry Reaction

Tech industry groups warned that compliance costs could be substantial, particularly for smaller companies. However, consumer advocacy organisations celebrated the vote as a landmark moment for digital rights.

The law takes effect in 18 months, giving companies time to update their systems and practices.