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India: Income Tax Bill allows officials to forcibly access social media, email

Parliamentary Committee retains controversial provisions in new Income Tax Bill 2025, allowing access to social media and emails.

The aim behind the Bill, as per the government, is to simplify and rationalise the existing Income Tax Act 1961 and the numerous amendments that have been made to it over the decades since it was introduced. The new Bill’s expanded scope of powers given to tax officials during search and seizure operations has drawn criticism and calls for change, including from the experts the Select Committee consulted during its review. According to the new Bill, if a person is found to be in possession or control of any books of account, or other documents and information maintained digitally, on computer systems, or stored electronically, then they must provide the designated income tax officer “reasonable technical and other assistance (including access code, by whatever name called) as may be necessary” to enable the officer to inspect “any information, electronic records and communication or data contained in or available on such computer systems”.

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