UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Surveillance is not the only privacy issue

Q1. With reference to the test laid down by the Supreme Court in K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) for State action that limits the right to privacy, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. An intrusion on privacy is valid once the State shows that it pursues a legitimate aim, whatever the extent of the intrusion.
  2. A measure that rests on a law and pursues a legitimate aim may still fail the test if the intrusion is disproportionate to that aim.
  3. The absence of a law authorising an intrusion can be cured if the State shows that the measure is necessary for maintaining public order.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 2 only

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Police use of facial recognition technology to identify participants at a public protest can be challenged as an infringement of the fundamental right to privacy.
  2. The Supreme Court in Puttaswamy (2017) recognised informational privacy, that is, the privacy of personal data and facts, as an essential facet of the right to privacy under Article 21.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. With reference to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. An entity that stores personal data on behalf of another entity, which decides the purpose and means of processing, is a Data Processor.
  2. The Data Protection Board of India inquires into breaches of the Act and can direct corrective measures.
  3. The Central Government may, by notification, exempt processing by an instrumentality of the State from the Act's provisions on grounds such as security of the State and maintenance of public order.
  4. Every police force is exempt from the Act automatically, without any notification by the Central Government, because it is an instrumentality of the State.
  • A. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 2, 3 and 4 only

Q4. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Surveillance of people taking part in a lawful protest can be challenged as infringing the right to assemble peaceably even if no participant is detained or prosecuted.
  2. Under the Constitution, the State may impose reasonable restrictions on the right to assemble in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India or public order.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q5. With reference to the right to assemble under Article 19 of the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Restrictions on the right to assemble can be imposed on every ground available for restricting freedom of speech, including defamation and contempt of court.
  2. The right protects an assembly only if it is peaceable and without arms.
  3. The right is available to all persons in India, including foreign nationals.
  4. A restriction on the right to assemble can be justified in the interests of public order.
  • A. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q6. With reference to the liability of intermediaries under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the IT Rules, 2021, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. An intermediary's exemption from liability for third-party information is conditional on its observing due diligence.
  2. Significant social media intermediaries are additionally expected to deploy technology-based measures, such as automated tools, to proactively remove certain prohibited content.
  3. Only significant social media intermediaries are required to maintain accessible reporting and grievance redressal systems; other intermediaries are not.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. With reference to the revision of electoral rolls in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Draft and final electoral rolls are disclosed publicly during a revision, so that political parties and electors can scrutinise additions and deletions.
  2. The revision of electoral rolls is governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the same law that deals with the conduct of elections.
  3. A citizen who is at least eighteen years old on the qualifying date and is not disqualified under any law is entitled to be registered in the electoral roll.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 3 only