Govt. links intel grid to National Population Register, agencies can access details of 119 crore residents
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Cyber security· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Union Home Ministry is linking the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) to the National Population Register (NPR) to allow security agencies to access data of 119 crore residents.
Background
NATGRID is a secure platform for law enforcement agencies to gather intelligence from sources like Aadhaar, bank records, and social media. The NPR contains family-wise details of 119 crore Indians.
Facts for Prelims
- BodyNATGRID: A secure platform for law enforcement agencies to access data from driving licenses, vehicle registrations, and bank records.
- FactNPR: Contains family-wise details of 119 crore Indians.
- BodyUnion Home Ministry: The nodal ministry advocating for enhanced use of NATGRID by state police and security agencies.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the implications of integrating large-scale population databases with intelligence grids regarding the balance between national security and the right to privacy.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Privacy conflict: Potential violation of individual privacy rights under the Puttaswamy judgment vs. state security mandates.
- Data security risk: Risks of centralized data breaches or unauthorized access to sensitive personal information by state actors.
- Surveillance concerns: Potential for mass surveillance and the need for robust oversight mechanisms in intelligence gathering.
Keywords: Data Privacy · National Security · Surveillance · Intelligence Gathering · Digital Governance
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