A policy framework for sharing data is the need of the hour and Karnataka govt’s e-Sahamathi initiative shows the way.
What is the journey of data sharing by the public sector in India?
Before 2005- In India, before 2005, the right to information was recognised as a fundamental right by various international declarations/conventions and even a few State governments in India.
After 2005- Right to Information Act was enacted in 2005 to empower citizens through transparency and accountability.
However, for most part, the onus remained on the citizen to seek information from public authorities.
National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP) of 2012 was released whereby every public authority was required to share non-personal, non-sensitive data produced using public funds (also called as open data) for promoting transparency and driving innovation.
What are the social and economic benefits of data sharing?
It is estimated that by 2025, data and AI could add up to 500 billion dollar to India’s GDP.
Studies suggest that data access and sharing can help generate social and economic benefits worth between 0.1% and 1.5% of global GDP in the case of public-sector data.
The scope for innovating and driving positive change is enormous in case of data exchange between public-private sector in a trusted ecosystem.
What are the challenges?
Unsustainable models- Many of the start-ups require complete, accurate and validated datasets to train/test their AI-based models, to make predictions/draw conclusions or to be able to provide personalised or customised services.
For data exchange/sharing, businesses source primary data from the field, enter into bilateral deals for data sharing, use open datasets in public/private sector, or obtain data without appropriate consent/legal compliance which are not sustainable.
Data privacy- Data privacy or confidentiality issues may arise on seeking, operating or holding data.
Absence of data exchange platforms- For an efficient data economy, it is imperative that data consumers can interact with one/multiple data fiduciaries through a platform.
In the absence of such a mechanism, the cost of discovery, negotiation and compliance would render the ecosystem inefficient.
Lack of policy framework- There is a lack of enabling policy framework to accelerate data sharing and purpose-based application in a rights-respecting environment.
How Karnataka government’s e-Sahamathi initiative shows the way?
e-Sahamathi is a tool to empower citizens to own, control and share their data with various private and public companies to get jobs, seek admission in universities or colleges, and any such purpose.
The digital platform was developed by the e-Governance Department of the government with support of National Informatics Centre.
Working- Under the system, a citizen has to login using his Aadhaar number and share his/her data with companies by making a request to the Consent Manager of e-Sahamathi.
The Consent Manager would send the data to the companies/universities or any other entity.
Universities and companies have to register with e-Sahamathi to be able to access the data.
Prior consent- e-Sahamathi allows a citizen to provide her consent to interested third party private service providers to use her data for specified purpose.
Grievance redressal- There is a requirement to appoint a grievance redressal officer for handling/disposing of user grievances/complaints.
Any complaint will have to be resolved within 30 days of receipt.
Other provisions- Other provisions include
auditing the service provider
preventing misuse of data
data retention and data deletion upon revocation of consent
Extension of services- Keeping in view the principles of cooperative federalism, the guidelines also provide for extending the services of e-Sahamathi as a consent manager to other State governments and the Centre.
Benefits
ensures privacy
data protection
eliminates physical verification of certificates/documents
eliminates submission of fake certificates by candidates
avoids delay and corruption
ensures lawfulness, fairness and transparency
What lies ahead?
With fourth industrial revolution technologies, data can be used, re-used and re-purposed with infinite possibilities.
Through appropriate technologies and governance frameworks, data sharing can enable benefits and innovation.
Access to public sector data and private sector data in a trusted ecosystem, which is consent-based and purpose-driven, will be instrumental in creating value and promote equitable access to digital and data economy.
