Today's Headlines - 13 August 2023
India's first Agricultural Data Exchange (ADeX)
GS Paper - 3 (Economy)
The government of Telangana, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) launched India's first Agricultural Data Exchange (ADeX) in Hyderabad. The Telangana government also launched the Agriculture Data Management Framework (ADMF) - a framework for facilitating consent-based responsible data sharing.
More about Exchange
Developed as a digital public infrastructure (DPI) for the agriculture sector, ADeX is an open-source, open-standard, and interoperable public good.
The software platform facilitates a secure, standards-based exchange of data between agricultural data users (agri application developers) and agricultural data providers (government agencies, private companies, NGOs, universities, etc.).
ADMF is applicable to all government departments dealing with agricultural activities, as well as, all agriculture information users and providers. The framework provides a grievance redressal mechanism.
Both ADeX and ADMF provide the right platform to ensure fair and efficient usage of agricultural data by the industry and startups and provide a big boost to the data economy specifically in the agriculture sector.
These initiatives help Telangana lead the country in using innovation and technology to drive food systems transformation and improve the livelihoods of farmers."
Data and digital ecosystems are critical for responsible innovation in the agriculture sector.
The agriculture data exchange and the agriculture data management framework highlight the power of multi-stakeholder communities and collective action in addressing complex challenges in the agriculture sector.
#upsc #news #headline #india #agricultural #data #exchange #ADEX #economy #world #economic #forum #institute #science #IISC #ADMF #DPI #digital #grievance #mechanism #NGO #privatecompanies #universities #agencies #mechanism #software #technology #telangana #ecosystems #sector #data
India's first Agricultural Data Exchange (ADeX)
GS Paper - 3 (Economy)
The government of Telangana, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) launched India's first Agricultural Data Exchange (ADeX) in Hyderabad. The Telangana government also launched the Agriculture Data Management Framework (ADMF) - a framework for facilitating consent-based responsible data sharing.
More about Exchange
Developed as a digital public infrastructure (DPI) for the agriculture sector, ADeX is an open-source, open-standard, and interoperable public good.
The software platform facilitates a secure, standards-based exchange of data between agricultural data users (agri application developers) and agricultural data providers (government agencies, private companies, NGOs, universities, etc.).
ADMF is applicable to all government departments dealing with agricultural activities, as well as, all agriculture information users and providers. The framework provides a grievance redressal mechanism.
Both ADeX and ADMF provide the right platform to ensure fair and efficient usage of agricultural data by the industry and startups and provide a big boost to the data economy specifically in the agriculture sector.
These initiatives help Telangana lead the country in using innovation and technology to drive food systems transformation and improve the livelihoods of farmers."
Data and digital ecosystems are critical for responsible innovation in the agriculture sector.
The agriculture data exchange and the agriculture data management framework highlight the power of multi-stakeholder communities and collective action in addressing complex challenges in the agriculture sector.
#upsc #news #headline #india #agricultural #data #exchange #ADEX #economy #world #economic #forum #institute #science #IISC #ADMF #DPI #digital #grievance #mechanism #NGO #privatecompanies #universities #agencies #mechanism #software #technology #telangana #ecosystems #sector #data
Today's Headlines - 06 September 2023
Your personal data online
GS Paper - 3 (ITC)
Recently, India notified its personal data protection framework as a law, signalling the beginning of a new era of privacy legislation in the country. Provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 will come in force in a few months, after the Centre has allowed enough transition time to the industry, with users of these platforms — you — experiencing several new notices and rights, as prescribed in the law.
When can an entity process your personal data?
There are broadly two circumstances under which entities — both government and private — can process an individual’s personal data: (i) There has to be clear consent for such processing; and (ii) for certain “legitimate uses”.
When an entity is processing your personal data for which you have consented, it has to be accompanied by a notice, which is to be made available in all 22 languages of Schedule 8 of the Constitution.
You can directly consent to businesses, and the government can process your personal data, or alternatively use a consent manager.
What happens to your personal data that was collected before this law came into existence?
Any entity that has collected a person’s personal data before the Act came into being should give her a notice about the personal data in its possession “as soon as it is reasonably practicable”.
The notice should include:
The personal data an entity is processing and the purpose for such processing;
The way in which a user can withdraw their consent;
The means of grievance redressal
However, the contents of this notice have been significantly diluted from previous iterations of the many data protection Bill drafts in the last five years.
For instance, the Act doesn’t require companies to state the duration for which they will store personal data, if it will be shared with third-parties, and if it will be sent to a foreign jurisdiction.
There are exemptions to consent requirements as well:
The Act says that the government can exempt itself and its instrumentalities from adhering to any and all provisions of the law that relate to processing of personal data.
Will your rights be restricted in any way?
Broadly, there are three major roadblocks that impose restrictions, or limit the rights prescribed in the provisions of the law from applying to individuals. These are as follows:
Government exemptions: In the interest of national security, friendly relations with other governments and public order among others, many of the provisions of the Act, including rights afforded to citizens will no longer be applicable.
The way we have prepared the law, it has adequate safeguards for citizens. A lot of the fear against the government’s power comes from citizens’ experience with previous governments. But that is not the case today. People have a lot of trust in our government, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
Processing of data for legitimate uses: Neither the government nor private companies need to seek informed consent from citizens for certain legitimate uses.
For the government, this includes processing personal data for offering subsidies and certificates, responding to a medical emergency, for national security, and during natural disasters.
Private entities can assume consent when an individual has not expressly denied her consent.
#upsc #news #headline #personaldata #online #ITC #protection #industry #rights #legitimateuses #Constitution #grievance #redressal #duration #instrumentalities #roadblocks #ITMinister #AshwiniVaishnaw #subsidies #medicalemergency #disasters #safeguards #online
Your personal data online
GS Paper - 3 (ITC)
Recently, India notified its personal data protection framework as a law, signalling the beginning of a new era of privacy legislation in the country. Provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 will come in force in a few months, after the Centre has allowed enough transition time to the industry, with users of these platforms — you — experiencing several new notices and rights, as prescribed in the law.
When can an entity process your personal data?
There are broadly two circumstances under which entities — both government and private — can process an individual’s personal data: (i) There has to be clear consent for such processing; and (ii) for certain “legitimate uses”.
When an entity is processing your personal data for which you have consented, it has to be accompanied by a notice, which is to be made available in all 22 languages of Schedule 8 of the Constitution.
You can directly consent to businesses, and the government can process your personal data, or alternatively use a consent manager.
What happens to your personal data that was collected before this law came into existence?
Any entity that has collected a person’s personal data before the Act came into being should give her a notice about the personal data in its possession “as soon as it is reasonably practicable”.
The notice should include:
The personal data an entity is processing and the purpose for such processing;
The way in which a user can withdraw their consent;
The means of grievance redressal
However, the contents of this notice have been significantly diluted from previous iterations of the many data protection Bill drafts in the last five years.
For instance, the Act doesn’t require companies to state the duration for which they will store personal data, if it will be shared with third-parties, and if it will be sent to a foreign jurisdiction.
There are exemptions to consent requirements as well:
The Act says that the government can exempt itself and its instrumentalities from adhering to any and all provisions of the law that relate to processing of personal data.
Will your rights be restricted in any way?
Broadly, there are three major roadblocks that impose restrictions, or limit the rights prescribed in the provisions of the law from applying to individuals. These are as follows:
Government exemptions: In the interest of national security, friendly relations with other governments and public order among others, many of the provisions of the Act, including rights afforded to citizens will no longer be applicable.
The way we have prepared the law, it has adequate safeguards for citizens. A lot of the fear against the government’s power comes from citizens’ experience with previous governments. But that is not the case today. People have a lot of trust in our government, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
Processing of data for legitimate uses: Neither the government nor private companies need to seek informed consent from citizens for certain legitimate uses.
For the government, this includes processing personal data for offering subsidies and certificates, responding to a medical emergency, for national security, and during natural disasters.
Private entities can assume consent when an individual has not expressly denied her consent.
#upsc #news #headline #personaldata #online #ITC #protection #industry #rights #legitimateuses #Constitution #grievance #redressal #duration #instrumentalities #roadblocks #ITMinister #AshwiniVaishnaw #subsidies #medicalemergency #disasters #safeguards #online
Today's Headlines - 10 September 2023
Self Regulatory Organisation for fintechs
GS Paper - 3 (Economy)
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has asked fintech entities to form a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO). An SRO can help in establishing codes of conduct for its members that foster transparency, fair competition, and consumer protection. It can act as a watchdog and encourage members to adopt responsible and ethical practices. It can provide a link between the regulator and market participants through a less formal set-up.
What is an SRO?
An SRO is a non-governmental organisation that sets and enforces rules and standards relating to the conduct of entities in the industry (members) with the aim of protecting the customer and promoting ethics, equality, and professionalism. SROs typically collaborate with all stakeholders in framing rules and regulations.
Their self-regulatory processes are administered through impartial mechanisms such that members operate in a disciplined environment and accept penal actions by the SRO.
An SRO is expected to address concerns beyond the narrow self-interests of the industry, such as to protect workers, customers or other participants in the ecosystem.
Regulations, standards, and dispute resolution and enforcement by an SRO get legitimacy not just by mutual agreement of its members, but also by the efficiency with which self-regulation is perceived to be administered.
Such regulations supplement, but do not replace, applicable laws or regulations, according to the Reserve Bank of India.
What is the need for an SRO?
As regulators continue to contemplate, implement, and refine regulations for the orderly development of the fintech sector, SROs could play a pivotal role in the fintech industry by promoting responsible practices and maintaining ethical standards.
There have been many instances where a few fintech players were involved in unethical practices such as charging exorbitant higher interest rates and harassment of borrowers for recovering loans.
What are the benefits of an SRO?
SROs are widely considered experts in their fields and so have in-depth knowledge of the markets they operate in. This is helpful to their members as they can be called in to participate in deliberations and learn more about the nuances of the industry.
Formation of SROs ensures member organisations follow a certain standard of conduct that helps promote ethical ways of doing business, which can lead to enhanced confidence in the ecosystem.
They can serve as a watchdog to guard against unprofessional practices within an industry or profession.
What are the functions of an SRO?
The recognised SRO will serve as a two-way communication channel between its members and the RBI.
It will work towards establishing minimum benchmarks and standards and help instil professional and healthy market behaviour among its members.
SROs will impart training to the staff of its members and others and will conduct awareness programmes. It will establish a uniform grievance redressal and dispute management framework across its members.
#upsc #news #headline #self #regulatory #fintechs #Economy #RBI #shaktkantaidas #organisation #consumer #protection #watchdog #ethical #regulator #link #SRO #enforces #rules #stakeholders #mechanisms #industry #workers #resolution #dispute #laws #supplement #india #sector #grievance
Self Regulatory Organisation for fintechs
GS Paper - 3 (Economy)
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has asked fintech entities to form a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO). An SRO can help in establishing codes of conduct for its members that foster transparency, fair competition, and consumer protection. It can act as a watchdog and encourage members to adopt responsible and ethical practices. It can provide a link between the regulator and market participants through a less formal set-up.
What is an SRO?
An SRO is a non-governmental organisation that sets and enforces rules and standards relating to the conduct of entities in the industry (members) with the aim of protecting the customer and promoting ethics, equality, and professionalism. SROs typically collaborate with all stakeholders in framing rules and regulations.
Their self-regulatory processes are administered through impartial mechanisms such that members operate in a disciplined environment and accept penal actions by the SRO.
An SRO is expected to address concerns beyond the narrow self-interests of the industry, such as to protect workers, customers or other participants in the ecosystem.
Regulations, standards, and dispute resolution and enforcement by an SRO get legitimacy not just by mutual agreement of its members, but also by the efficiency with which self-regulation is perceived to be administered.
Such regulations supplement, but do not replace, applicable laws or regulations, according to the Reserve Bank of India.
What is the need for an SRO?
As regulators continue to contemplate, implement, and refine regulations for the orderly development of the fintech sector, SROs could play a pivotal role in the fintech industry by promoting responsible practices and maintaining ethical standards.
There have been many instances where a few fintech players were involved in unethical practices such as charging exorbitant higher interest rates and harassment of borrowers for recovering loans.
What are the benefits of an SRO?
SROs are widely considered experts in their fields and so have in-depth knowledge of the markets they operate in. This is helpful to their members as they can be called in to participate in deliberations and learn more about the nuances of the industry.
Formation of SROs ensures member organisations follow a certain standard of conduct that helps promote ethical ways of doing business, which can lead to enhanced confidence in the ecosystem.
They can serve as a watchdog to guard against unprofessional practices within an industry or profession.
What are the functions of an SRO?
The recognised SRO will serve as a two-way communication channel between its members and the RBI.
It will work towards establishing minimum benchmarks and standards and help instil professional and healthy market behaviour among its members.
SROs will impart training to the staff of its members and others and will conduct awareness programmes. It will establish a uniform grievance redressal and dispute management framework across its members.
#upsc #news #headline #self #regulatory #fintechs #Economy #RBI #shaktkantaidas #organisation #consumer #protection #watchdog #ethical #regulator #link #SRO #enforces #rules #stakeholders #mechanisms #industry #workers #resolution #dispute #laws #supplement #india #sector #grievance