• The breach of multiple data bases and the increasing frequency of online theft have created a fear psychosis among the masses worldwide.
• Dispelling anxieties on sharing data online is vital for enhancing internet’s utility as a tool for progress.

What are some metrics on cyber security?

• According to a digital security report, a 783% increase in cases of data theft in India was noticed in 2017.
• Most compromised or stolen records belonged to the government, which was followed by the retail and technology sectors.
• Globally, sectors which were hit the most by data theft in 2017 were healthcare (27%), financial services (12%), education (11%) and government (11%).
• The most number of records lost, stolen or compromised was noticed in data bases of - government (18%), financial services (9%) and technology (16%).
• Additionally, RBI reported a 35% increase in credit, debit card and net banking related fraud since 2013-16 (12,000 cases in 2016).

What are the implications of these incidences?

• The cumulative effect of reported security breaches is that a sense of mistrust is taking shape among Internet users regarding data.
• Reports suggest that a significant number of users have shown unwillingness in sharing basic data like name, location etc, on 3rd party applications.
• A considerable number of people are said to have reduced sharing data across platforms after the “Facebook - Cambridge Analytica” fiasco.
• Also, 6% stopped Internet transactions while 28% of users reduced such transactions and 42% reported that they had become “more cautious”.

What is the way ahead?

• India’s Internet users expected to hit the 500 million mark this year, and the fear of sharing data online is also growing.  
• Government’s potency to prevent data abuse and cyber crime should build confidence among the masses for them to overcome their anxiety.
• As a first step, the government should implement the Supreme Court verdict that upheld privacy as a fundamental right.