The Crossbill Team
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly criticized the government's decision to grant Income Tax (IT) officials extensive access to individuals' personal emails, social media accounts, and digital assets in the name of scrutiny.
Calling it a direct assault on the fundamental right to privacy, the CPI(M) warned that such powers mark a dangerous shift towards a surveillance state.
In a statement, the party expressed grave concerns over the overreach of the government, emphasizing that citizens' rights cannot be sacrificed under the pretext of tax enforcement.
“Shocking attack on the fundamental right to privacy! Income Tax officers can access emails & social media in the name of scrutiny. A clear step towards a surveillance state. People's rights must not be trampled for the whims of an overreaching govt. This must be opposed!” the statement read.
The party was responding to a report publised in The Economic Times, which revealed that starting April 1, 2026, the IT department will be legally empowered to access an individual’s social media accounts, personal emails, bank accounts, and online investments if they suspect tax evasion or undisclosed income.
This expansion of surveillance falls under Section 132 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, which already allows authorized officers to conduct searches and seize assets if they have reason to believe that an individual is concealing taxable wealth.
According to the report, the new Income Tax Bill takes this further by extending the department’s power to break into not just physical properties but also digital spaces.
Under Clause 247 of the proposed law, IT officials will be able to override access codes and gain entry into computer systems and virtual digital spaces if they suspect the presence of undisclosed income, assets, or financial records. This includes the authority to “break open” encrypted digital storage, just as they can currently do with locked safes and lockers.
Privacy advocates and opposition parties have raised alarms over these sweeping changes, arguing that they could be misused for political and mass surveillance purposes. With mounting concerns over digital rights and state overreach, the debate over the new tax law is expected to intensify in the coming months.
Calling it a direct assault on the fundamental right to privacy, the CPI(M) warned that such powers mark a dangerous shift towards a surveillance state.
In a statement, the party expressed grave concerns over the overreach of the government, emphasizing that citizens' rights cannot be sacrificed under the pretext of tax enforcement.
“Shocking attack on the fundamental right to privacy! Income Tax officers can access emails & social media in the name of scrutiny. A clear step towards a surveillance state. People's rights must not be trampled for the whims of an overreaching govt. This must be opposed!” the statement read.
Shocking attack on the fundamental right to privacy! Income Tax officers can access emails & social media in the name of scrutiny. A clear step towards a surveillance state. People's rights must not be trampled for the whims of an overreaching govt. This must be opposed!…
— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) March 4, 2025
The party was responding to a report publised in The Economic Times, which revealed that starting April 1, 2026, the IT department will be legally empowered to access an individual’s social media accounts, personal emails, bank accounts, and online investments if they suspect tax evasion or undisclosed income.
This expansion of surveillance falls under Section 132 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, which already allows authorized officers to conduct searches and seize assets if they have reason to believe that an individual is concealing taxable wealth.
According to the report, the new Income Tax Bill takes this further by extending the department’s power to break into not just physical properties but also digital spaces.
Under Clause 247 of the proposed law, IT officials will be able to override access codes and gain entry into computer systems and virtual digital spaces if they suspect the presence of undisclosed income, assets, or financial records. This includes the authority to “break open” encrypted digital storage, just as they can currently do with locked safes and lockers.
Privacy advocates and opposition parties have raised alarms over these sweeping changes, arguing that they could be misused for political and mass surveillance purposes. With mounting concerns over digital rights and state overreach, the debate over the new tax law is expected to intensify in the coming months.
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