Asia: Privacy

The Supreme Court dismissed a public interest litigation challenging the constitutionality of digital search and seizure powers under Section 132 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and the corresponding Section 247 of the Income Tax Act, 2025 on March 9, 2026. Chief Justice Surya Kant’s bench refused to entertain arguments that warrantless access to cloud servers, emails, and encrypted devices violates Article 21 privacy rights, holding that existing judicial review mechanisms adequately safeguard taxpayers while enabling tax evasion combat.

There was a time when HR systems were mostly used to store records. Internal servers stored the files of employees. Many documents were sent over email, and HR teams spent long hours updating spreadsheets across departments that were maintained in different ways

“Until the central government publishes the list of permitted and restricted countries under DPDP rules, cross-border data transfer obligations remain in a holding pattern. However, this is not a reason for inaction, it is a reason to audit and map all cross-border data flows now, so you are ready to assess compliance the moment the rules land”.

The country is no longer merely positioning itself as a low-cost manufacturing destination. Instead, Vietnam is steadily transforming into a sophisticated digital and strategic investment hub for Asia and beyond.

“Until the central government publishes the list of permitted and restricted countries under DPDP rules, cross-border data transfer obligations remain in a holding pattern. However, this is not a reason for inaction, it is a reason to audit and map all cross-border data flows now, so you are ready to assess compliance the moment the rules land”.

Thailand’s telecommunications regulator has introduced a range of new compliance obligations for telecom licensees aimed at preventing and suppressing technology crime.