Data Protection Bill: Google says India should avoid data localisation requirements, riles panel members

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Both Google and Patym were asked about the recent Google Play Store controversy, it is learnt. Google had last month removed Paytm from its Play Store, citing violations of the app store’s gambling policies, but restored it hours later.

It is learnt that some committee members asked Google representatives — Director Gitanjli Duggal, head government affairs and public policy Aman Jain and Rahul Jain — about its control over mobile phone makers through the android system, pointing out that it doesn’t leave any choice for the user.

Read| Paytm rivals Google Play Store, launches its own mini app store

But it was Google’s submission that India should avoid data localisation requirements, which it said are ill-suited to protecting privacy and security, that surprised and riled some panel members, it is learnt. The submission was part of a 25-page document it circulated to the panel, it is learnt. Google representatives were confronted by some members, who asked whether the company believes India doesn’t have the capacity to localise its data and cannot protect privacy and security of its citizens, it is learnt.

The Google representatives were asked whether it has taken this view specifically for India and some members reminded them that the company is adhering to the US laws and is fighting a legal battle with the European Union, it is learnt.

The panel will hear telecom operators Reliance Jio and Airtel and cab aggregators Ola and Uber from November 4 to 6.