DIGITAL RIGHT TO PRIVACY IN THE DIGITAL AGE: AN ANALYTICAL REVIEW IN THE LIGHT OF ISLAMIC TEACHINGS AND PAKISTAN PENAL CODE

Abstract

In the contemporary digital era, while technology has streamlined human life, it has simultaneously exposed the "Right to Privacy" to unprecedented vulnerabilities. Data surveillance, cyber-espionage, and unauthorized access to personal information have fundamentally challenged the traditional boundaries of individual liberty. This research paper presents an analytical study of the "Right to Privacy in the Digital Age" through the dual lenses of Islamic Teachings and the Pakistan Penal Code. The primary objective of this research is to elucidate how Islam established a comprehensive framework for personal sanctity over fourteen centuries ago through principles such as the prohibition of espionage (Tajassus) and the ethics of seeking permission (Isti’dhan), and how these apply to modern digital crimes. Furthermore, the paper critically examines the Pakistani legal landscape, specifically Article 14 of the Constitution and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA 2016), to evaluate their efficacy in protecting citizens' digital footprints. The study concludes by proposing a synthesized approach between Islamic jurisprudence and contemporary legal frameworks to ensure the robust protection of human dignity and privacy in the virtual world.

Keywords: Right to Privacy, Digital Era, Islamic Jurisprudence, Pakistan Penal Code, Cyber Laws,PECA 2016,Data Protection, Social Media Ethics, Human Dignity, lDigital Surveillance.