Privacy in the Age of Social Media Challenges for Indian Law and Society

Abstract

The fast growth of social media sites has completely changed the boundaries of privacy in India with vexed legal and social issues. Personal data is now a lucrative commodity and a potential victim since millions of people are using digital platforms every day. Privacy being declared as a basic right in K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India was a landmark constitutional achievement but the practice of exercising this right in social media is still fraught with difficulties. This paper is a critical reflection on the changing concept of privacy in relation to user-generated content, the practice of data sharing, and algorithmic surveillance. It examines the sufficiency of the current legal frameworks, specifically the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, to tackle the new threats, including data misuse, identity theft, and online harassment. The paper also examines the conflict between the freedom of expression and privacy rights and the role of intermediaries and accountability. Within the socio-legal framework, the paper highlights the effects of digital illiteracy, consent fatigue, and an unequal access to the legal solutions. It concludes by recommending an equal opportunity approach to regulation that incorporates strong legal protection, technological remedies, and social education to allow a significant degree of privacy protection in the fast-growing digital world of India.