Supreme Court declares access to digital services a fundamental right: SC orders revision of KYC norms for visually impaired and acid attack victims

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (30.04.2025) passed a major judgement on the right to access digital services. SC said that access to digital services is a fundamental right. It is an important part of the right to life under Article 21. Following the same, the Supreme Court ordered to simplify the Know-Your-Customer (KYC) process for individuals with visual impairments, including acid attack survivors, to facilitate easier access to essential services.

A Supreme Court bench consisting of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan made this decision while hearing two public interest petitions related to digital access and the KYC process for visually impaired individuals.

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The court directed the government to make digital services, including KYC, accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities and acid attack survivors with facial disfigurement. This is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, ensuring equality, non-discrimination, and protection of life and liberty. To achieve this, the court issued 20 specific directions to the government.

The judgment came after nine acid attack survivors approached the Supreme Court, asking for guidelines to facilitate digital identity verification (KYC) for themselves and others with similar injuries or permanent eye damage.

The survivor argued that the acid attack caused permanent damage to their eyes and pupils, making everyday tasks like opening a bank account or buying a SIM card extremely challenging.

After which the court ruled that having access to digital services is a fundamental part of the right to life, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

The Court said that it has issued several directions to ensure that those with visual impairment or other such challenges are able to complete the KYC process.

"We have held that there is a need for change in KYC processes for the disabled. We have given 20 directions. The petitioners who suffer from acid attacks and blindness have been unable to complete the KYC process due to facial disfigurements. Constitutional provisions confer a statutory right on the petitioners to be accommodated in the KYC process. Digital KYC guidelines must be revised with the accessibility code. In the contemporary era, where economic opportunities, etc., are through digital (access), Article 21 needs to be re-interpreted in light of such technology and the digital divide increases," the Court said.

The detailed judgment is yet to be released.