The Delhi High Court has established guidelines for masking personal details in court orders, affirming the right to be forgotten as part of the fundamental right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution. This recognition allows individuals to seek removal of personal information from online judicial records that may harm their dignity and reputation.
Delhi High Court Lays Down Guidelines for Personal Privacy
The Delhi High Court has ruled that the right to be forgotten is a critical aspect of the right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution. Justice Sachin Datta stated that this right allows individuals to request the removal or masking of personal information from online judicial records when its accessibility may cause disproportionate harm to their privacy, dignity, and reputation.
In the judgment, it was highlighted that the permanence of information on the internet necessitates a balance between public access and personal privacy. The court emphasized that an individual's dignity must be protected against the prevalence of misleading or harmful information accessible online.
The implications of this ruling are significant for legal practitioners, particularly in cases involving personal data and privacy rights. Lawyers will need to consider the evolving landscape of privacy jurisprudence in their representation and advisory roles.
“The right to be forgotten thus reflects the evolution of privacy in response to the permanence of online information.”
Citations
- Right to be Forgotten Case (2026) Delhi High Court
