No, data isn’t the new oil – Data Protection Bill needs to realise that

Source: The post is based on the article “No, data isn’t the new oil – Data Protection Bill needs to realise that” published in “Indian express” on 27th September 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Polity – Function of Parliament

News: This article discusses concerns about how data is used and perceived. It talks about India’s new law, DPDP Act 2023, meant to protect people’s digital data, like laws in other countries. It highlights the need for responsible and ethical use, handling, and perception of data to ensure individuals’ rights and privacy. The article suggests the law is a positive step but needs more refinement to truly protect people.

What is the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023 about?

Purpose: The DPDP Act 2023 in India is about protecting individuals’ digital data and privacy.

Comparison: This law is like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) from 2016 and the UK’s Data Protection Act from 2018. China also passed a similar law in 2020.

Individual Rights: It gives people more control over their data and includes the right to be forgotten.

Responsibility and Transparency: It mandates greater accountability and transparency from private corporations and government institutions regarding data practices.

Limitations: While a positive step, the act still reinforces some existing perceptions about data and doesn’t fully address the ethics of data generation and harvesting.

Aspirational Goals: The act is viewed as an initial draft for establishing data equity and justice, and it needs ongoing refinement and discussion.

What are the concerns with data use?

Ethics of Data Generation: The article mentions a concern about the ethics surrounding how data is created and harvested, emphasizing that data doesn’t just describe us but defines and predicts us.

Commodification of Data: The act doesn’t challenge the perception of data as a commodity and its economic value, overshadowing its personal and impactful nature.

Implications on Individuals: The data generated is closely linked to people’s lives and experiences, impacting their social, personal, political, and economic well-being.

Provenance and Consent: There’s concern about how far data can travel and whether it can be distanced from its subject, affecting the integrity of consent.

What needs to be done?

Refine the DPDP Act 2023: The act is a good start but needs more refinement to fully protect people’s data in India.

Enhance Individual Control: More steps should be taken to ensure that individuals have control over their data and understand the implications of data circulation.

Focus on Operational Realities: The principles of the act should be operationalized carefully to ensure the protection of vulnerable individuals from the misuse of data.