India’s DNA data law could harm minorities, hurt privacy: Experts

Privacy advocates fear the sensitive data can be misused for caste-based or community profiling.

A proposed Indian law on the collection and use of genetic data to tackle crime can violate privacy, and target minorities and marginalised communities disproportionately, according to technology experts and human rights groups. The DNA Technology Regulation Bill allows the profiling of victims, those accused of crimes, and those reported missing, and storing of their DNA information in national and regional data banks. It also aims to set up a DNA Regulatory Board. The bill was tabled in Parliament in February, and is expected to be passed in the current monsoon session that runs until August 31.