News Your digital footprints will soon be under taxman's scanner

[nullpc]

From MoneyControl:

The Finance Minister highlighted that digital forensics played a crucial role in unearthing unaccounted money. "Encrypted messages on mobile phones led to unearthing Rs 250 crore unaccounted money. Evidence from WhatsApp messages of crypto assets has been detected. WhatsApp communication helped unearth Rs 200 crore unaccounted money," she said. She also noted that Google Maps history was used to determine the locations frequently visited to hide cash, and Instagram accounts were analysed to establish benami property ownership.

Under the new framework, tax officials will be permitted to access encrypted communications, cloud storage, and digital asset exchanges if they have reason to believe that a person has concealed taxable income or cryptocurrency holdings.

The Income Tax Bill, 2025, is currently under review by a select committee of Parliament, which will hold discussions with stakeholders before finalising the legislation. The bill seeks to replace the six-decade-old Income Tax Act, 1961, with a simplified framework to enhance compliance while addressing evolving tax challenges in the digital age.

Sources:

• https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/b...-soon-be-under-taxman-s-scanner-12975282.html
• https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...-defends-income-tax-bill-101742955272342.html

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The privacy implications of this are alarming. While I condemn evading tax, I can't for a moment hope that the people with control of these tools will abstain from abusing it to prey on the common citizen. It happens already all the time in this country with whatever surveillance tech is deployed, this just makes it a whole lot worse.

Based on what's mentioned here, it also looks like Meta and Google are willy-nilly providing the data when asked — they probably have a backdoor in place for the govt. to tap into. Encryption and disappearing messages seem like a joke post this revelation on WhatsApp.

 

[Heisen]

Privacy is a joke in this country. The police have the power to knock on your door for any reason, and if they ask you to unlock any of your digital devices without giving any context and if you refuse, you're in trouble.

 

[Rob126]

Happen everywhere remember panic it created when telegram ceo arrested in europe surely they use data for other purpose too... there should be strong evidence tax fraud first and or vauge rules will lead to self interest of political party ... non the less i don't mind this step

 

[Tarantula]

This shows the government's tactic to obtain permission to do something which, under normal circumstances, would cause an uproar among its citizens. Years ago, the backdoor to these services was obtained under the pretext of tackling terrorism and threats to national security (according to court documents). Now, they are shamelessly admitting to use it for surveillance on its ordinary citizens to enforce tax policies. Imagine what they could be doing with these back-doors that they are not admitting to?

I say they are keeping records of our browsing history for sure. At home, sitting alone on their beds, covering themselves by a bed-sheet, they are probably examining the photos exchanged between spouses.

This is not to say that these back-doors can't be used for something good, such as finding missing people, but that they can be accessed by anyone with the know-how. They could be government agents or unethical hackers - you would never know.