DNA profiling bill will violate privacy, says Congress

NEWDELHI: The Congress on Sunday accused the government of attempting to carry out “360-degree profiling” of citizens, and claimed that the DNA profiling bill was violative of the privacy and autonomy of people.

Accusing the government of repeatedly displaying “intrusive and nosy behaviour”, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the Bjp-led government wants “an India that is defined by them”.

“This government...has repeatedly made attempts at doing 360- degree profiling of its citizens. Surveillance breeds conformity...,” Singhvi said.

The DNA profiling bill, based on the one prepared by the Law Commission recently, states that national and regional DNA data banks will be set up for maintaining a national database for identifying victims, accused, suspects, undertrials, missing persons and unidentified human remains. Noting that the “big brother syndrome” is deeply embedded in this government, Singhvi gave examples where the government tried to intrude into the privacy of its citizens.

“The example of Aadhaar misuse.... A perfectly valid comprehensive structure was brought by us, but the government distorted it and made it a snooping device,” Singhvi claimed.

Moreover, collection of data through “tainted global firms” such as Cambridge Analytica is another example of the government trying to attack the privacy of its citizens.“

He also raised the question of protection of data under the DNA Technology . “This huge DNA laboratory to collect Dna...how is it safeguarded in the laboratory? No provision has been made to safeguard, protect it,” he claimed.

“The government of India must respond and give us answers as to why it is not able to wait for data protection act. The country should be told of all the details for the objective behind this bill. Ample safeguard of a comprehensive nature must be added,” the Congress leader said.

When contacted, a BJP spokesperson refused comment.