Digital expansion threatens privacy, civil liberties: former HC Chief Justice

Former Orissa High Court Chief Justice S. Muralidhar has cautioned that the rapid, unregulated growth of digital technology is eroding privacy, personal autonomy and civil liberties. Speaking on Friday at a colloquium on 'Law, Technology and Human Rights' in Thiruvananthapuram, organised by the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC), he urged human rights institutions to step in urgently to counter these risks.

Justice Muralidhar acknowledged the significant benefits of technological progress, but noted that individuals have become increasingly transparent to both governments and corporations. He observed that the internet's permanent memory makes it nearly impossible for people to erase past mistakes, opinions or personal data once they enter the digital space.

He expressed concern over how governments and private firms can combine location data, browsing history, financial records, health details and social interactions to build detailed profiles of citizens. Such information, he warned, could be used to target individuals and potentially weaponise legal and state power.

Criticising the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, Justice Muralidhar said its exemptions for the Central government and its power to exempt certain entities from compliance mean the law is not genuinely centred on citizens' rights.

He also highlighted the risk of 'civil death' from over-reliance on digital identity systems, where a person may be physically alive but unable to access welfare and services if their digital identity cannot be verified. He called for greater public awareness about data protection, especially in local languages, and suggested that human rights bodies collaborate with educational institutions, communities and software engineers.

Noting a global trend among young people to push back against smartphone dependence, Justice Muralidhar proposed an 'offline hour' daily, encouraging students to meet, play and interact without devices. "Don't surrender yourself to the internet," he advised.

The programme was presided over by KSHRC chairperson Alexander Thomas, with addresses from human rights lawyer Henri Tiphane, judicial member K. Byjunath, member V. Geetha and secretary K.S. Sreeja.