In India, the current focus on the right to privacy is based on some new realities of the digital age

In India, the current focus on the right to privacy is based on some new realities of the digital age. A right is a substantive right only if it works in all situations, and for everyone. A right to free expression for an individual about her exploitation, for instance, is meaningless without actual availability of security that guarantees that private force cannot be used to thwart this right.

The role of the State, therefore, is not just to abstain from preventing rightful free expression, but also to actively ensure that private parties are not able to block it.

On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

  1. State should have some institutions to ensure its appropriate role in a digital society.
  2. State should ensure that private parties do not violate the citizens' right to privacy.
  3. Digital economy is not compatible with the idea of not violating the citizens’ privacy.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

  1. 1 and 2
  2. 3 Only
  3. 1 and 3
  4. 2 only

Answer: A

Explanation

Statement 1 is a valid assumption: The passage states that the state must abstain from preventing of citizens’ rights, and also actively ensure that private parties are not able to block it. Now, in order to ensure that the state is not involving in an activity or directly preventing the citizens from exercising their rights, with respect to the right to privacy in a digital era, the state would do well to establish institutions to check its functioning from time to time and, hence, ensure its appropriate role in a digital society.

Statement 2 is a valid assumption: The passage clearly states that the states must actively ensure that private parties are not able to block the exercise of rights by the citizens. As the main theme of the passage is the right to privacy in a digital era, the assumption made in statement 2, is thus correct.

Statement 3 is an invalid assumption: Nowhere does the passage state or imply that digital economy is harmful in any way, such as not being compatible with the non-violation of citizen’s privacy. This is a rather extreme and incorrect assumption, as, according to the passage, there might be threats to the given right in a digital age, but this is preventable if appropriate measures are taken by the state.

  • Exam Year: 2020