Ask for Clear Safeguards Before Tax Authorities Can Access Our Devices and Data

Problem (in simple words): A new income tax bill is being discussed that may allow tax authorities to access our phones, emails, and social media during searches. We do not yet have enough clarity on when this can happen, who can approve it, how long data can be kept, or what we can do if we think our data was misused. Without clear safeguards, our privacy and fairness as taxpayers are at risk.

Key facts:

• The proposed bill may expand powers to access digital data during tax searches and surveys.
• Citizens and experts have asked for clear grounds, time limits, and oversight.
• Under Indian law, the right to privacy has been recognised by the Supreme Court; any law affecting our data should have proper limits and redress.
• Parliament and the Standing Committee on Finance can consider public feedback before the law is passed.

What we ask for (practical solution):

1. Clear grounds: The law should state clearly when tax authorities can access personal devices or digital accounts — for example, only when there is a reasonable basis and with proper approval.
2. Time limits: Rules on how long such data can be stored and when it must be deleted.
3. Grievance mechanism: A simple way for citizens to complain if they believe their data was accessed or used wrongly, and a timeline for the authority to respond.
4. Oversight: Independent or higher-level oversight so that access is not misused.

Our public demand: We ask the Ministry of Finance and the Parliament (including the Standing Committee on Finance) to incorporate these safeguards in the new income tax law before it is passed, so that citizens' privacy and fairness are protected while the tax system can still work effectively.

Related: Read our explainer post and citizen brief on the bill; join our forum discussion on what safeguards you want.