Supreme Court Requests Google LLC's Input on Google PIN Privacy Concerns
Supreme Court seeks clarification from Google LLC regarding Google PIN privacy in bail conditions, discharging Google India.
In a matter concerning the legality of imposing bail conditions requiring sharing Google PINs with investigating officers, the Supreme Court was briefed today that Google LLC, not Google India, should address the technical aspects of Google PINs.
During the previous hearing, the Bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan had directed Google India, without making it a respondent, to submit an affidavit elucidating the functionality of Google PINs in the context of bail conditions.
Presently, counsel for Google LLC clarified that Google LLC manufactures the product in question, necessitating their response to the Court's inquiry. It was disclosed that Google LLC's affidavit had been submitted but not yet acknowledged due to the notice served to Google India.
Another counsel representing Google India echoed a similar sentiment, mentioning that the Registry had been duly notified.
In light of this, the Bench formally notified Google LLC and relieved Google India from the case. Additionally, it instructed the Registry to accept Google LLC's affidavit, stating, "We will review the affidavit before proceeding with the hearing."
To succinctly summarize, the Court is deliberating on two primary matters in this case. Firstly, whether bail for foreign defendants can be contingent upon receiving assurance from their respective Embassies regarding their stay in India. Secondly, whether it is permissible to impose a condition mandating defendants to share their Google PIN locations with investigating officers.
Case Title: Frank Vitus v. Narcotics Control Bureau and Ors.
