RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION IN THE DIGITAL AGE: IMPLICATIONS FOR ECONOMIC FREEDOM

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20019783

Authors:

Akshaya Kishor, Dr Govind Yadav

Keywords:

Right to Privacy, Data Protection, Economic Freedom, Digital Economy, GDPR, DPDP Act

Abstract:

The exponential growth of digital technologies has transformed personal data into a key economic asset, reshaping global markets and governance systems. While the digital economy enables innovation, efficiency, and economic expansion, it simultaneously raises significant concerns regarding privacy and data protection. This paper examines the relationship between the right to privacy and economic freedom, focusing on whether regulatory frameworks enhance or constrain economic activity. Using a qualitative and analytical approach supplemented by a conceptual empirical model, the paper evaluates major data protection regimes, including the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act). The findings suggest that robust data protection frameworks enhance consumer trust, reduce information asymmetry, and promote sustainable economic participation. However, excessive regulatory burdens may inhibit innovation, particularly among small and medium enterprises. The paper proposes a balanced regulatory model that integrates privacy protection with economic flexibility. It concludes that privacy and economic freedom are complementary rather than conflicting, and that adaptive governance frameworks are essential for maintaining equilibrium in the evolving digital ecosystem.

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