Sarcouncil Journal of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences

Abstract: Technological advancements have significantly improved the quality of human life. However, as digital technologies continue to evolve, they have begun to pose serious challenges to individual freedoms. One of the most pressing concerns in this digital era is the right to privacy, especially as personal data is constantly collected, stored, and utilized across various sectors. The rapid digitization of services has also led to the emergence of various cybercrimes, including identity theft, fraudulent communications, cyberstalking, and more. Personal data shared on digital platforms—whether for social networking, commercial transactions, analytics, or governmental use—is often vulnerable to misuse. This raises serious questions about data security and the ethical handling of information. Currently, there is a notable absence of comprehensive legislation in India specifically regulating the collection, storage, monitoring, retrieval, processing, dissemination, and protection of user data. This paper aims to critically examine the evolving challenges associated with the right to privacy and data governance in the digital age. It approaches the issue from two distinct angles: first, by assessing the state's expanding capacity for surveillance; and second, by evaluating consumer privacy concerns, particularly in relation to protections offered under the Competition Act, 2002. The paper concludes by drawing insights from international practices and judicial precedents, offering guidance on how India might better structure its privacy and data protection framework in the future.