Online platforms can't abuse data to impact free choice: Prasad
New Delhi, Sep 7 : The government on Friday reiterated its firm stand on data privacy and against online platforms abusing data to impact free choice in India.
Speaking at the Global Mobility Summit here on data analytics and mobility, Union Electronics and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said acquisition of big data should be done with fair and transparent principles.
"You can't abuse data to impact free choice in India... We have flagged (this) very very clearly," said the Minister.
Of late, the IT Ministry has taken a strong stance on data privacy and its reported misuse in the electoral process of the country, among others.
Earlier, in June Prasad, who is also the Law Minister, had said that any attempt to influence the 2019 general elections by any "covert or overt" manner would not be accepted.
The Justice B.N. Srikrishna Committee on data protection in India submitted to the government in July suggested amendments to various laws, including the Aadhaar Act, to provide for imposition of penalties on data fiduciaries for violations of the data protection law.
"The citizen's rights have to be protected, the responsibilities of the states have to be defined, but the data protection can't be at the cost of trade and industry," the report had said.
Prasad, on Friday, further said: "Internet is one of the finest creations of human mind, it should not remain the monopoly of few."
"If Internet is to become truly global it must have linkage with the local -- local ideas, local views, local heritage."
He also emphasised on the need for a balance among data availability, data utility, data innovation, data anonymity and data privacy.
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Himachal: Three killed, two injured as speeding car dashes against parked truck
Mandi (HP) (PTI): Three people were killed and two others sustained grievous injuries after a speeding car dashed against a stationary truck at Dadour near Nerchowk in Mandi district on Monday late at night, police said on Tuesday.
There were five people in the car when the tragedy struck. Three were declared dead in the hospital while two have been referred to AIIMS Bilaspur.
The deceased were identified as Anil Kumar (28), Rohit Kumar (26) and Subash Kumar (23), all residents of Mandi district, while the injured are Harish and Pankaj.
A case has been registered under relevant sections and investigations are underway, said Superintendent of Police (SP) Mandi Vinod Kumar.
He added that the bodies have been handed over to the family members of the deceased.
In a statement, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the loss of three lives in a road accident. He directed the district administration to ensure best possible treatment for the injured and wished them a speedy recovery.
