Delhi High Court Disposes PIL Against Sharing Of Citizens' Personal Data Collected By Foreign Travel Companies

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday disposed of a PIL seeking direction on the Union Government to take steps to ensure that foreign travel companies do not share with anyone the confidential and personal data of consumers like name, Aadhar number, passport details etc during ticket booking.

A division bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora disposed of the plea moved by lawyer and BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay and asked him to approach the Union Government by way of a representation.

The bench noted that Upadhyay did not file any representation with the Centre and directly approached the court.

“The petition is disposed of with a liberty to the petitioner to raise the grievance with the Union of India. If a representation is filed, the same be decided by way of a reasoned order in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible,” the court ordered.

Upadhyay had also sought to secure the data of Indian citizens in spirit of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

It was his case that the foreign travel companies like MakeMyTrip, GoIbibo and SkyScanner not only collect the data of common man but of Law Makers, Ministers, Judges of the Supreme Court and High Court, Defence Personnel, Civil Servants and their family members.

Claiming that he is worried about the potential misuse of citizen's data, especially the Aadhar and passport details, Upadhyay had said that the Centre should take written undertakings from the travel companies to keep such data confidential.

“Petitioner submits that there are at least 03 foreign Companies i.e. MakeMyTrip, GoIbibo and SkyScanner; which are running their operations in India and are owned by Chinese investors. Petitioner is worried about the potential misuse of citizen's data, especially the passport details. Companies are owned by Chinese Investors and their parent company is Trip.com,” the plea stated.

Title: ASHWINI KUMAR UPADHYAY v. UNION OF INDIA & OTHERS

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 395