Right To Digital Access

Right To Digital Access : Recently, the Supreme Court's judgment affirming that the right to digital access is an intrinsic part of the right to life and liberty under Article 21 marks a landmark step toward a more inclusive digital India.

• About the Judgment: The Court has mandated the government and private sector to remove digital barriers for persons with disabilities, especially those with visual impairments or facial disfigurements due to acid attacks.

o RBI must revise KYC norms to allow alternative, non-visual identity verification methods, addressing discrimination against the blind and those with facial disfigurements.

o All public and private entities must appoint digital accessibility nodal officers, conduct regular audits, and involve persons with disabilities in user testing.

o The Court highlighted that the digital divide affects not just PwDs but also the elderly, rural, economically weaker sections, and linguistic minorities.

o Bridging the digital divide is now a constitutional obligation, not just a policy choice.