Concerns with Data Protection

What is the issue?

In the recent times, growing data piracy threats require strong government regulation to protect citizens’ data rights.

What are the concerns with data protection?

• The privacy protection concerns in the digital databases along with data protection has emerged as major national concern, given the recent incidents of data as well as privacy threats.
• The long-term record keeping and data analysis are contradicting the privacy protection requirements.
• Mass surveillance by linking databases of unique identities is also results in fear of digitization.
• Mere existence of infrastructure disturb the balance of power between the citizens and the state.
• Thus data protection becomes central to privacy protection as far as databases are concerned.

What are the regulations needed to address this issue?

• Government has to formulate policies for building architecture of Data safety.
• The SC’s judgement on right to privacy has given a push for individual autonomy and self-determination in controlling the usage of personal data.
• Stricter data security provisions are required as there are not only high identity theft rates, but world’s largest corporates like google and facebook have grown unchecked.
• At the same time, India has to bring in more innovation friendly setup to cater to most of the population who are under-privileged.

Source: The Indian Express