New Delhi, May 1 -- An order by the Supreme Court on Wednesday aimed at ensuring digital access for persons with disabilities needs to be noted by the entire online ecosystem. In directing that digital Know Your Customer processes be adapted accordingly, India's apex court ruled that digital access is an essential part of the Right to Life.

This represents a significant broadening of this basic right's coverage. Some years ago, privacy was included in its ambit. While the Constitution does not explicitly mention these and its framers could not have foreseen the digital age, both these rights are consistent with the essential logic of the broader right under which the judiciary has accorded them an elevated status as a sovereign guarantee...