Supreme Court Guidelines on the Right to be Forgotten: Balancing Privacy and Open Justice

The ruling is rooted in the expansive interpretation of Article 21 of the Constitution. Following the 2017 K.S. Puttaswamy judgment, which recognized privacy as a fundamental right, the RTBF has emerged as a critical facet of individual dignity. The Court noted that while the principle of 'Open Justice' requires judicial proceedings to be transparent and accessible to the public, this must be balanced against the individual's right to move on from past legal entanglements that are no longer of public relevance. For governance and policy, this move necessitates a technological and procedural overhaul of the 'e-Courts' project. It places a responsibility on judicial registries and third-party legal database providers to ensure compliance with masking orders. Furthermore, it sets a precedent for how digital rights are handled in an era where 'the internet never forgets.' Aspirants should view this as a significant evolution in the 'Right to Privacy' framework, highlighting the judiciary's role in adapting constitutional protections to the digital age. UPSC Relevance: This topic is highly relevant for GS Paper II under 'Fundamental Rights' and 'Judiciary.' It serves as a prime example of the 'balancing of rights'—specifically Article 21 (Privacy) versus the public's right to information. It can be used to answer questions on judicial activism, digital rights, and the evolving nature of the Indian Constitution in the 21st century.