- The entire global community is enduring an unimaginable and unquantifiable transformation, riding piggyback on the digital revolution that has become not only ubiquitous but also indispensable. The tremendous reach and penetration of the digitization efforts undertaken by the respective governments around the world have transformed the way administrations go about discharging their responsibilities. The use of information technology-enabled welfare delivery systems has benefited millions of intended beneficiaries in a big way. This has also enabled the government to directly deliver cash disbursements to the intended beneficiaries’ accounts. Indisputably, the digital revolution has been a boon in more than one way.
PC: BSS
- Further, the seamless integration of technology into social welfare measures by governments has become an admirable tool for administration. No one is complaining but only welcoming on the matter. However, one of the most common complaints surrounding digitalization efforts ought to be the data protection and security aspects. Mind you, data is everything, and any perceivable lacuna vis-à-vis compromising the safety and security of the same is bound to leave behind a trail of destruction for gullible citizens. This is where the Digital Data Protection Bill 2023, passed by the Lok Sabha, assumes significance for Indian citizens.
- Making businesses quickly pay big for breaching personal data will be one of the key benefits of the data law. Note that Indians’ generation of an increasing quantum of personal data truly empowers our transition into a digital economy. But for too long, questions about how this personal data kept being dismissed as elitist concerns did bog us down. Thankfully, the Lok Sabha’s passing of the Bill recently signals an end to the ‘wild west’ syndrome. The broad goal is to ensure that the consumer-facing entity makes clear to the consumer the purpose for which her data is being collected, uses the data only for this purpose, and erases it after the specific purpose has been served.
PC: Cyber Laws
- This transformation in data governance will be critically dependent on effective policing by the proposed Data Protection Board of India. Let’s delve into the salient features of the Bill. First and foremost, it must be swift in redressing consumer complaints of personal data breaches. Second, it must affect the core change, where the passing the buck escape routes have now been closed. Instead of getting tricked into a labyrinth of data controllers, processors, and brokers, pursue the accountability of the entity that is the first recipient of consumer information. Third, be swift too in imposing and collecting the penalties, including fines going up to Rs 250 crore and higher, if, say, a company has repetitively sold vital consumer information to numerous third parties.
- Remember, we are generating data with our online activities every day, from banking to paying utility bills to buying groceries and insurance to booking doctors’ appointments or flights or hotels. Today a poor data security regime wantonly multiplies the dangers of mis-selling and fraud. Indeed, the rules that will determine its actual efficacy are still awaited, the new legislation has its job cut out.
