Centre for Applied Law and Technology Research (ALTR)

Interdisciplinary research initiative to leverage technology for the public good in the global south

The increasing adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in society has yielded new questions for the protection of human rights in the digital space.

The emergence of new technologies and service models have led to the platformisation of services and goods, requiring a re-look at existing policies and laws for the digital realm. This includes policies spanning constitutional rights of free speech and privacy, competition, labour rights and ICT regulation.

Notably, all policy responses must be tailored to the specific nuances of the internet and ICT-based services. At the same time, these responses must be based in the considered context of the global south, where legacy problems with access to technology persist, and the very guarantee of socio-economic and civil political rights remains aspirational.

ALTR is Vidhi’s interdisciplinary policy initiative to leverage technology for the public good in the Global South.

In Age of Big Tech & Erosion of Informed Consent, Proposed Data Protection Law Bats for the User

The PDP Bill in its current state appears to be a progressive legislation in terms of balancing information assymetry through legislative mandates, and regulations and oversight

Procurement of Facial Recognition Technology for Law Enforcement in India: Legal and Social Implications of the Private Sector’s Involvement

The involvement of the private sector in providing facial recognition technology to the state for law enforcement purposes raises novel questions of privacy, security and public autonomy

Personal Data Protection Bill: Overbroad Exemptions on Data Processing Dilute Govt’s Own Cause

It is an established principle that states are entitled exemptions from data protection and privacy laws to discharge certain functions. What remains contentious is scope of activities that are exempted.