Elonnai Hickok

A pioneering digital rights advocate who shaped India's data protection laws through innovative policy interventions

Elonnai Hickok (born 1978) is a visionary legal scholar and human rights activist whose work has fundamentally transformed India's approach to digital governance. As co-founder of the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS), she led groundbreaking research projects that exposed surveillance practices by government agencies. Her 2012 report on privacy risks in Aadhaar, India's biometric ID system, became a cornerstone in landmark Supreme Court rulings recognizing privacy as a fundamental right.

Hickok's advocacy directly influenced the development of India's first comprehensive data protection framework, the Personal Data Protection Bill. She pioneered the concept of 'algorithmic audits' to ensure transparency in automated decision-making systems. Her work with marginalized communities, including sex workers and transgender individuals, demonstrated how digital rights intersect with social justice issues. In 2016, she developed the Privacy Toolkit, an open-source resource helping citizens navigate data privacy challenges.

Her 2019 collaboration with the European Union's Fundamental Rights Agency produced the first comparative study on cross-border data flows, influencing global policy debates. Hickok's unique approach combines legal expertise with grassroots activism, creating sustainable frameworks for digital rights protection. She has trained over 500 legal professionals through CIS's annual workshops, ensuring her impact extends beyond policy circles into practical implementation.