Rule 20: Functioning of Board as digital office

Rule 20 establishes that the Data Protection Board of India (the Board) is required to function as a digital office. This means the Board is designed to handle its official work and legal proceedings primarily through digital means, rather than relying entirely on a traditional physical office setup.

To make this possible, the Board is permitted to adopt specific techno-legal measures. These measures allow the Board to conduct its proceedings in a way that does not require the physical presence of any individual. People involved in a dispute or inquiry can participate remotely.

However, operating as a digital office does not take away the Board's traditional legal powers. The rule explicitly clarifies that the Board retains its full authority to summon any person, enforce their physical attendance, and examine them under oath whenever it deems necessary.

Key points

• The Board is required to function as a digital office.
• The Board may adopt techno-legal measures to conduct proceedings without requiring anyone's physical presence.
• The Board retains its power to summon individuals, enforce their attendance, and examine them under oath.

Common misreadings

• Assuming that a digital office means the Board cannot force someone to appear in person, when the rule explicitly preserves the power to summon and enforce physical attendance.