The discussion paper also mentioned the efforts taken by the other countries to improve data protection

The government is planning to bring a policy on good data governance soon. Government’s think tank NITI Aayog has asked for feedback from the people regarding ‘Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA)’ before draft for discussion before October 1. It has been designed to enable users to have greater control on sharing of their data, a report published in The Indian Express has said.

NITI Aayog on its Twitter handle wrote, “The Data Empowerment & Protection Architecture will empower individuals with control over how their personal data is used and shared while ensuring that privacy considerations are addressed. Seeking your comments on the draft document, before October 1.”

https://twitter.com/NITIAayog/status/1301490563753979904

The discussion paper revolves around the notion that individuals should have control over how their personal data is used and shared.

According to the draft paper, the framework will grant users access and control over data which they will be able to share with a third-party institution on the basis of a seamless and safe protocol. This will empower individuals and enhance their well-being besides securing the whole system of data sharing, the draft noted.

Apart from that, the draft said that opening a data sharing framework which is based on Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) is likely to encourage new fintech entities to bring innovation in the area.

“India needs a paradigm shift in personal data management that transforms the current organisation-centric data sharing system to an individual centric approach that promotes user control on data sharing for empowerment,” the discussion paper said.

NITI Aayog’s CEO Amitabh Kant in his foreword wrote that data protection and data empowerment go hand in hand.

He wrote, “In India, we not only need stronger data protection, but also data empowerment: everyday Indians need control over their own personal data to improve their lives. They should be able to leverage their digital history to access growth opportunities offered by different institutions.”

The official also highlighted the importance that has been given to data protection across the world. He wrote, “In an evolving and fast paced digital landscape, headlines world-over have squarely placed data protection, privacy, and unauthorised data sharing or misuse in the limelight.”

The discussion paper also mentioned the efforts taken by the other countries to improve data protection which India can learn from saying that these are however not relevant to the scale and diversity of India.

“Other countries have responded to these challenges by implementing efforts to improve data protection and consent-based sharing (such as Open Banking in the UK or General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU), which India can learn from. However, these approaches have not addressed the issue in a manner that is fully relevant to India’s scale and diversity, and to our objectives around accelerating financial inclusion, economic growth, and data democracy,” it said.

Therefore, a new approach has been designed to make the model ‘India Way,’ which is different from the other models with respect to data protection, sharing, consent and privacy, it said.