GS Paper 2
Syllabus: Important aspects of governance and accountability, e-governance (applications)
Source: TH
Context: India’s G-20 presidency has provided an opportunity for the country to ensure that its digital strategies and data governance are inclusive, transparent, secure and conducive to sustainable development.
Background:
- In recent years, India has made great strides in its digital strategies/data governance → by embracing technology (say, UPI) and digitalisation → driving economic growth → improving the lives of citizens.
- However, the issues of ownership and governance of data generated and collected and data sovereignty have become increasingly important.
- Data sovereignty is the idea that data is subject to the laws and governance structures of the nation where they are collected.
- Given this, it is unreasonable to deny people control over their data and India’s DEPA – a consent management tool, has generated both excitement and concern among stakeholders.
Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA):
- It was launched by the NITI Aayog in 2020 on the premise that individuals themselves are the best judges of the ‘right’ uses of their personal data.
- It is designed as an evolvable/agile framework for good data governance that empowers people to seamlessly and securely access their data and share it with third-party institutions.
3 key building blocks of DEPA:
- Enabling regulations,
- Cutting-edge technology standards, and
- New types of public and private organisations with incentives closely aligned to those of individuals.
Advantages of DEPA:
- Potential to improve data protection and privacy for citizens
- Allowing individuals to easily manage and control their data consent
- Build trust in digital technologies and data governance.
Risks associated with DEPA:
- Personal data could be misused or misappropriated if the consent management tool is not properly implemented.
- An implementation may be inconsistent across different sectors and jurisdictions → undermine effectiveness, and create confusion among citizens.
Way ahead:
- The DEPA must be implemented in a transparent, consistent and secure manner → requires close collaboration between all the stakeholders.
- Clear, transparent and accountable data governance policies and regulations.
- India Data Management Office (IDMO) proposed by MeitY will frame/manage review/revise the National Data Governance Framework Policy (NDGFP).
- Investment in the necessary digital infrastructure and skills.
- India Stack is a unified software platform that provides digital public goods, and application interfaces and facilitates digital inclusion.
- Advances in financial inclusion (UPI) can be replicated successfully in other areas (health, agriculture).
- International cooperation and collaboration in addressing risks posed by the rapid growth of data and digital technologies.
Conclusion: It is important for India to navigate a middle way between restrictive data sovereignty and limitless data flow for the development of ethical and responsible data governance practices.
Insta Links:
Public Consultation on Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy
