Freedom of speech and the right to privacy

Individual freedom of speech is widely accepted as an inviolable liberty of all citizens in a true democracy. A free press is equally and vitally important, enabling the dissemination of independent information and the sharing of ideas and opinions. However, as in the case of all other rights, the constitution limits the freedom of the press, making it subject to reasonable restrictions in the larger public interest.

Information technology plays an extremely important role in society today; information is more readily and easily accessible than ever before. For example, it is not difficult to use the internet to trace and research personal details about others.

When advanced methods of information retrieval are combined with the existence of detailed databases containing sensitive personal information – such as those maintained by banks, hospitals and public authorities – there is potential grave danger to the protection of individual liberties, especially the right to privacy.

Rahul Chaudhry was called to the bar in September 2002. He joined Lall Lahiri & Salhotra in January 2004 and became a partner just four years later. Along with the firm’s founding partners, Anuradha Salhotra and Amar Raj Lall, Chaudhry is regarded as one of the most prominent faces of IP management in India.