TL;DR
The new income tax bill may give tax authorities more power to access our phones, emails, and social media. This brief explains what is being proposed, what safeguards experts recommend, and how you can send your views to the Standing Committee or the Ministry of Finance.
What the bill is about
The government has proposed a new law to replace the old Income Tax Act. In the new bill, there are provisions that could allow tax officials to access digital data — including data on your device, email, or social media — when they carry out searches or surveys.
Why citizens are concerned
Without clear rules, we may not know when such access is allowed, who can approve it, or how long our data can be kept. Legal experts and citizens have asked for: clear grounds before access; time limits for storage; a way to complain if data is misused; and oversight.
What you can ask for (safeguards)
- Clear grounds: Access only when there is a valid reason and proper approval (e.g. from a senior officer or authority).
- Time limits: How long data can be stored and when it must be deleted.
- Grievance mechanism: A simple process to complain and get a response within a fixed time.
- Oversight: Some form of independent or higher-level check so that power is not misused.
How to give feedback
Step 1: Find the official bill and any summary on the Ministry of Finance website (finmin.nic.in) or Parliament website (loksabha.nic.in, rajyasabha.nic.in).
Step 2: Check if the bill has been sent to the Standing Committee on Finance. If yes, the Committee often invites written comments from the public. Note the last date and the email or portal to send comments.
Step 3: Write your views in simple language. Say what safeguards you want (e.g. clear grounds, time limits, grievance mechanism). Keep a copy of your submission.
Step 4: Send your feedback by the given date. Use only the official channel (email or portal) mentioned by the Committee or the Ministry.
Where to find official information
- Ministry of Finance: finmin.nic.in
- Lok Sabha: loksabha.nic.in
- Rajya Sabha: rajyasabha.nic.in
- For the Standing Committee: check the Parliament website for “Committees” and “Standing Committee on Finance.”
Related on DearSarkar
- Explainer post on what the bill says and what citizens can ask for
- Petition for clear safeguards
- Forum discussion on what safeguards you want
Last updated: February 2025. Bill text and feedback dates can change; always check official sources.