Data regulator in India
India is in need to set up a regulator for non-personal data. A proposed data regulator will oversee various companies in their activities of collection, process, storing, monetization and destroying of non-personal data, a panel set up by Indian government said in a draft report.
Here, we need to know some important points about why this development India needs. And also, what impact it will bring on corporate’s freedom in playing with the data of people. We must know how the internet users and new techies can get benefits with data transparency. I have explained all these points in the following lines.
India, huge market for big players
Nevertheless, India’s is a huge market for big techies. So, we can understand this with a few important facts and figures. About 75% of Indian population is below 40 years of age. In 2020, average age of Indians is 29, compared to 37 of China and 48 of Japan.
In wake of India being a young nation, a number of tech companies look at it as a lucrative place for businesses. Now, one can understand that why tech-based companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon and Uber are ready to invest more bucks in the Asia’s third largest economy.
A number of big tech companies are eyeing at the country’s first-time internet users that are increasing in millions daily. In times of information and technology, when data is king or queen, these companies look for a huge data advantage from this new digital brigade.
India needs a data regulator
Moreover, big tech companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon and Uber have had a combined benefit of “first mover advantage, sizable network effect and enormous data”. This data these companies have gathered over the years, said the eight-person panel in its draft report. A number of new entrants and start-ups have to face entry barriers due to lacking data availability.
The panel said, these big market players will not be able to fully utilize huge data for the benefit of society on their own. That’s why there is the need of a data regulator. The proposed regulating body will be able to have “integration with raw data pipes” of the tech players. It will have legal powers to make companies share data, said the committee.
The companies will share with users the metadata of users’ information, which is being collected and processed, the panel recommended. This metadata sharing will help users in identifying data opportunities by combining data from multiple data companies and governments. Users can use it in their aim of developing innovative solutions, products and services.
Impact and prospects for digital market
All the data players will have to declare about their work. Also, what data they collect, its process, uses, and also the manner and purpose of data uses. These all disclosures must be made required in data industry in same way it is in pharma and food businesses, says the draft report.
Recently, centre has banned as many as 59 Chinese apps, sighting data security and privacy concerns. Further, to fill the gap, government is motivating techies by make in India app challenge. It is asking them make innovative solutions for large number of internet users in the country.
Furthermore, Google has announced $10 billion in lucrative Indian digital market. Opportunities are huge for new tech start-ups and entrants in digital field. They can make most of it if they can have access to vast data, currently available with a few big players.
Meanwhile, just motivation and challenges cannot bring out most of the potential. Besides, we will have to provide an even pitch where big and small players can play together. Let’s wait and see how and when this becomes a reality.
