Smartphone, Internet usages are on a high in India. It is expected that 374 million people will own a smartphone in India and by 2022, it’s expected to hit 442 million. IAMAI report predicts that by 2021, there will be about 635.8 million internet users in India. The Government’s Digital India project is further giving a push to the digital governance, thereby increasing the role of technology in India.

The Digital age has undoubtedly revolutionised several sectors like education, communication, business. However, there are many competing interests being generated on account of the advent of digital age in India.

• Freedom of Expression vs. Obscenity: The slapping of sedition cases against people for expression of views on social media. Example: controversy over AIB roast video, pornography.
• Privacy vs. Efficiency: The right to privacy of a person is upheld with measures like encryption of data. However, there have been instances where vital data for law and order is affected due to the privacy. Example: Tracking down the details of fake message generators or breaking open of a phone of a terrorist.
• Government control of data vs. private and foreign control: The issue of data governance is still being debated upon hotly. The Nationalisation and localization of data mooted by the State and local players as against the globalization of data is at loggerheads. The issues of data theft, monetizing data without owner’s permission has led to issues. Example: Facebook analytica scam
• Promoting global trade vs. protecting local industry: With Digitization, e-Commerce has boomed. The entry of global players with deep pockets has led to the issue of protectionism by countries to safeguard the small players. Example: Business models of Amazon and Walmart affecting the retailers and MSMEs.
• Personal data vs. Surveillance: The fact that governance is turning out to be digitized and the government’s control over a large amount of personal data is another point of conflict. Example: Linking Aadhar to several public, private services;
• Net Neutrality: The issue of owning the internet space by conglomerates and deciding on what the user of a service should access goes against the right to life of an individual.

Way forward:

• Right to Privacy is a fundamental right as ruled by the Supreme Court. Thus, there is a need to give primacy to consent of individual.
• Implementation of Justice BN SriKrishna committee recommendations on Data Privacy.
• Equipping local police with Cyber laws and Anti-Cyber crime measures.
• Onus on the MNC’s for user data protection as done in Germany.
• Strengthening the IT Act and implementation of National Cybersecurity Policy as per global laws.
• Independent regulator to be set up for fair trade practices in e-Commerce sector.
• NGO’s, CSO and People’s involvement in drafting a holistic data protection law.

Conclusion:

 With Digital Penetration on the rise, it is imperative to look at various dimensions where interests can be affected. There is a need to balance the various interests of stakeholders without affecting their rights.