THE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD: PRIVACY AND NATIONAL SECURITY IN A CONNECTED WORLD
AUTHOR – MATHEW S.N & SANTOSH ROSHAN, STUDENTS AT SASTRA DEEMED UNIVERSITY, THANJAVUR
BEST CITATION – MATHEW S.N & SANTOSH ROSHAN, THE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD: PRIVACY AND NATIONAL SECURITY IN A CONNECTED WORLD, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 4 (4) OF 2024, PG. 677-684, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.
ABSTRACT
The digital age has transformed, both in terms of national scope and individual impact, the reach of boundaries previously made between national security and personal privacy. This impact can be seen particularly in the development of India’s legislation and policies accompanied by judicial interpretations. Given the threat of cyber espionage and cyberterrorism having multiplied manifold, national security operations have increasingly turned to widespread surveillance and data gathering at the cost of private rights. The rapid diffusion of modern technologies such as AI, blockchain, and IoT further intensifies the tensions and throws up new challenges towards safeguarding personal data. These improve national security capabilities but also unlock vulnerabilities that can expose private information to misuse demanding greater levels of legal protection. This paper critically reviews the nexus between national security and privacy in an Indian context, discussing key legislative frameworks. Deficiencies in the current legal and judicial system as it relates to the balance required for security and privacy are juxtaposed with the fast-emerging challenges of rapidly advancing digital technologies. The other aspect involves the moral and ethical considerations of state surveillance within governance. It argues for a more accountable, open, and proportionate way of governance. The study ended by making some proposals for change; it suggested that there should be strong laws for data protection, judicial check on surveillance, and rights for the individuals as well as risks of cyber space in this highly connected world.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain technology, Cybersecurity, Internet of things, Personal Data Privacy