Court Halts OTP Verification for DMK’s ‘Ungalil Oruvan’ Campaign

Fast Summary:

• The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court issued an interim order restraining the DMK party from sending OTP verification messages during its ‘Oraniyil Tamil Nadu’ membership drive.
• Concerns were raised regarding the collection of personal data, potential privacy breaches, adn lack of clarity on how data is stored and protected.
• The court emphasized that data protection is integral to Article 21 (Right to Privacy) of the Constitution and called for accountability and openness in managing voter details.
• Questions were raised about whether other smaller or economically challenged political parties could face disadvantage due to such digital campaigns-perhaps impacting Article 14 (Equality before Law).
• Justice A.D.Maria Clete agreed with the interim relief but expressed reservations over broader observations concerning economic disparity among political parties, deeming them less relevant at this stage.
• Notices were sent to the Center, State goverment, and DMK seeking further details on their digital practices. The matter will be re-examined in two weeks.

!Clarity is required about the means adopted by political parties to manage data

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The High Court’s action highlights increasing scrutiny over how personal data is managed during digital membership campaigns. It reflects growing concerns around privacy rights as fundamental under constitutional provisions. India’s evolving legal approach toward harnessing technology in politics will need clear frameworks addressing consent,security infrastructure,and accountability.

This case could have wider implications for all political entities engaging in similar practices,potentially prompting demands for robust legislation specifically targeting how voter or citizen data should be collected and used transparently by both ruling and opposition parties alike. Balanced frameworks may also ensure fair competition between larger parties with advanced resources versus smaller ones-a critical aspect underlining democratic equality enshrined in Article 14.Read more: Source Link