Officials Can Access Your Emails & Social Media from April 2026!
India’s new income tax bill proposed in 2025 has attracted serious concerns about digital privacy. If passed, the bill will allow tax officials to access personal email, social media and transaction accounts starting April 1, 2026. The government claims the measure is necessary to avoid taxes, but many are concerned about potential abuse and privacy rights.
Digital locks are no longer safe
Now, Tax officials There is no direct authority to check digital records, which leads to legal confusion. The new bill aims to remove these uncertainties by formally granting access:
- Email Server
- Online banking and investment platforms
- Social Media Account
- Digital storage and applications
Starting from April 1, 2026, tax personnel will have the legal right to investigate the existence of numbers if they suspect tax evasion.
This means they can check emails, social media activities, bank accounts, transaction records, and even personal information to find undisclosed income, gold, jewelry, or other valuable assets that have not paid taxes.
What does the law say?
Under the 1961 Income Tax Act, officials can enter the property and seize documents if they believe someone has hidden financial details. The new bill further by giving them access to digital records.
This means tax personnel think someone is evading taxes and can check personal messages, emails, and online accounts. Although the government insists that these powers can only be used in serious cases, many people are concerned about the lack of clear rules.
A threat to digital freedom?
The bill is designed to improve tax compliance, but legal experts and privacy advocates are concerned that this could lead to excessive government surveillance. They believe that without proper safeguards, authorities may gain too much control, increasing the risk of harassment and abuse of personal financial data.
- Possible harassment of taxpayers
- Unnecessary personal information review
- Threats to digital rights and privacy
Critics fear businesses and individuals may face unfair investigations and there are questions about how to process and protect sensitive data.
Bill is currently commenting
The bill is currently under review by a parliamentary committee and may be subject to changes before it becomes law. Although the government sees this as a step towards better tax enforcement, concerns about privacy and abuse remain.
