Kochi: The Kerala High Court sharply criticised the state government in the Sprinklr deal on Tuesday. A division bench led by justice Devan Ramachandran directed the government to explain if privacy of data was ensured in the contract.
The HC directed the government to inform the court regarding the details of Sprinklr deal and posted the matter to Friday
The HC sought clarity regarding the IT secretary’s statement that the law department was unaware of the deal. The government must inform the court if the data is safe, the HC added.
Earlier, the HC had demanded government advocate A. G. Ranjith Thampan to clarify within 15 minutes if data was still being handed over to Sprinklr and if privacy of the data had been ensured.
After hearing the government advocate’s response, the HC posted the matter to Friday.
When the government responded that It had sought the help of the company for data analysis, the HC questioned if the government was incapable of handling the data of 2 lakh people. The HC also questioned whether the government had its own IT department.
The HC observed that it is the government’s duty to ensure privacy of an individual’s data. If any information is leaked, how can a person go to New York in the USA to file a case?, the court asked. The HC also questioned why the government agreed to the condition that all legal matters regarding the deal must be held in New York court.
The petitioner sought an interim order from the HC preventing data transfer to Sprinklr until a verdict was announced. But, the government clarified that it was not handing over any sensitive data to Sprinklr.
However, the HC took a stance that information regarding health of individuals was sensitive data. The court also said that the government must provide clear reasons regarding the deal.
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