Centre's New IT Act Threatens Digital Privacy: KTR

BRS working president K T Rama Rao today voiced strong objections to the Centre's proposed Income Tax Bill, 2025, citing significant threats to the citizens' digital privacy.

KTR condemned the bill's provisions, which he believed granted excessive powers to tax authorities under the guise of tax enforcement.

"The new bill allows unchecked access to citizens' social media, emails and online trading accounts under the guise of tax scrutiny. This is nothing but mass surveillance," he said.

He also expressed concerns that such unprecedented intrusion into virtual digital spaces could lead to harassment and misuse.

KTR asked the Centre about the lack of accountability mechanisms within the bill, and said, "Who will hold officials accountable if there is any misuse of this overreaching provision?"

He demanded answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman regarding the regulation of these powers.

For the unversed, the Income Tax Bill, introduced in February 2025, aims to overhaul the six-decade-old tax framework. However, it includes provisions that permit tax authorities to access various digital platforms, including email servers, online investment accounts, trading and bank accounts, social media and cloud servers, during searches. Legal experts have raised alarms that, without clear safeguards, these extensive powers could lead to taxpayer harassment or unnecessary scrutiny of personal data.