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People get confused between data security and data privacy. But there will be clarity once the Data Protection Bill is enacted , said RS Sharma, Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Sharma said the companies who are also in the business of data monetisation – like building of artificial intelligence and machine learning – can also be addressed on legalities once the legislation is in place.
He expressed concern over misuse of data facilities by online platforms, who insist on ‘I agree’ from users downloading any app platform, which ask for details like contact, and media files. “Why does an app for ‘torch’ in my mobile phone need contact details,” he asked.
“…typically people confuse between data security and data privacy,” but acknowledged that both are interlinked and voluntary disclosure of data is not a violation.
Speaking at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2018, Sharma said there are a lot of issues in the digital world, which hopefully would be addressed soon.
Addressing concerns
When asked about legalities and penalty for violation of privacy by companies/individuals, he said the upcoming ‘law’ should address all concerns.
Meanwhile, protecting the Aadhaar and the reports around the unique identity on questions of data privacy of individuals, Sharma said: “A lot of debates have started like Aadhaar violates privacy and all over the last seven-eight years. And, Supreme Court finally in its verdict said that Aadhaar does not violate privacy… it was not accidental. It was not something that happened on its own. It was actually privacy by design. We incorporated privacy as a concept from the very inception.” Sharma was the Director General and one of the founding members of the UIDAI (Aadhaar).
Digital vulnerability
“Privacy was not an after-thought in Aadhaar. That is why I challenged and gave my Aadhaar number in public (Twitter) and nobody could do anything. Theoretically too, Aadhaar cannot increase your digital vulnerability,” he said adding that there are number of stages where it (Aadhaar) ensures privacy by design.
A few months back, Sharma had challenged a hacker saying ‘no one can cause harm’ by sharing his Aadhaar number and a lot of debates mushroomed around the vulnerability of Aadhaar and how safe it is to citizens’ personal details.
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