Digital Rights And Misuse Of Personal Data By MNCs: A Critical Analysis Of Privacy, Accountability And Regulatory Framework Of MNCs
- IJLLR Journal
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
S Sri Renganath, SRM School of Law, SRMIST, Chennai
N Sailesh Kumar, SRM School of Law, SRMIST, Chennai
ABSTRACT
In a hyper-connected world such as the one we are living in, in which multinational corporations such as Google, Meta, and Amazon are amassing mountains of personal data, innovation and exploitation have become indistinguishable. In this paper, we will explore in depth just how these tech giants are misusing user data on a daily basis, from sneaky surveillance practices to unauthorized sharing and hyper-targeted advertising, eroding fundamental digital rights and privacy as we know them. From Cambridge Analytica hijacking Facebook user data to influence election outcomes to Zoom faking out security measures and leaking user data everywhere, we will examine the lack of accountability when these tech giants are caught red-handed, from dodging real consequences with fines in change for every dollar of their billions in revenue to hiding behind convoluted legal loopholes.
Zooming out to regulations, the EU’s GDPR is the gold standard with strong regulations on consent and data minimization, but MNCs exploit this with jurisdictional shopping. India’s DPDP Act is strong on data localization and fiduciary duty, but rollout issues have left users vulnerable to cyber threats. The US A haphazard array of state laws, including CCPA, which only scratches the surface. Through a blend of law, case studies, and economics, this research highlights the gaping holes in regulation, international coordination, and technology, including the absence of mandatory audits of algorithms.
The verdict A radical overhaul is needed, including revenue-based penalties, user-centric tools for control, and international agreements to ensure a level playing field.
In championing a human rights-first approach, this research gives policymakers, activists, and individuals practical answers to address the excesses of corporations, building a world where privacy is not just a buzzword, but a fundamental right.
Keywords: EU (European Union) GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) DPDP (Digital Personal Data Protection) MNC (Multi- National Corporation)
