Privacy Concerns Over New Income Tax Bill: Officers Can Access Your Email, Social Media | Details

The newly introduced income tax bill has hit the headlines over a list of serious privacy concerns. While the citizens were elated with the unprecedented tax relief of up to 12 LPA this year, the BJP-led Central Government concealed a provision within the bill that handed sweeping powers to tax authorities.

In simple words, the new bill allows income tax officials to access all the taxpayers' emails, trading accounts, social media profiles, and more during tax investigations. As per the bill, if any investigation demands, the officers will have all access unlocked to the taxpayers' “virtual digital space.”

On February 13, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the modified Income Tax Bill, 2025, in Parliament. However, now the key concern is the clause that allows tax searches beyond what라이브 바카라 currently allowed.

Tax Searches: Old Vs New Tax Bill

As per the existing income tax bill, tax officers are allowed to access laptops, hard drives, and emails. However, since the current tax law doesn’t explicitly include access to the taxpayers' digital records, such demands often lead to legal consequences.

But, the new bill, which still awaits implementation, clearly mentions that the tax authorities can anytime demand access to digital assets. If the taxpayer refuses to comply, they are legally authorized to bypass passwords, override security settings, and unlock files.

Citing clause 247 of the new income tax bill, India Today reported that starting April 1, 2026, the designated income tax officers will have the right to access your emails, social media, bank details, and investment accounts, if they suspect tax evasion or other tax-related disputes

“Break open the lock of any door, box, locker, safe, almirah, or other receptacle for exercising the powers conferred by clause (i), to enter and search any building, place, etc., where the keys thereof or the access to such building, place, etc., is not available, or gain access by overriding the access code to any said computer system, or virtual digital space, where the access code thereof is not available”, the new bill reads.

Speaking to Reuters, Vishwas Panjiar, a partner at Nangia Andersen LLP, termed the move as a major shift from the existing Income-tax Act, 1961 while warning that without stringent digital safety protocols, these unbridled powers could lead to harassment and unnecessary scrutiny of personal data.

“This represents a notable departure from the present Income-tax Act, 1961, which did not explicitly cover such digital domains. Without clear safeguards, these extensive powers could lead to taxpayer harassment or unnecessary scrutiny of personal data”, he told Reuters.