KNN India, August 12, 2017
With the advancement into data technology and digitalization, the biggest question of the time is to explore as to who owns the data, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman, R.S Sharma said.
Sharma expressed concern over non-interoperability of platforms and therefore with the customer having no option to port out their data continues to be a real danger. This helplessness of the consumer of digital age gives an upper hand to the corporate firm. He informed that while in the telecom services, the customers have the option of porting out their cellular numbers with full freedom, there are no such provisions in place when it comes to data on platforms.
Sharma did acknowledge that the rapid evolving digital world has brought immense advantage in the form of new tools and systems, it at the same time has posed up new challenged for the governments across the world to address.
Sharma was speaking at the International Conference on “Future of Digital Economy: Need & Importance of Optimal Regulations” organised by CUTS Institute for Regulation & Competition (CIRC) along with Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) International.
The Conference also marked the India launch of the organization’s ‘Regional Inclusive Growth Project’, covering three countries, including India, Vietnam and Philippines. The prime focus of the project is to strengthen Digital Economy in the three countries, by suggesting evidence backed policy reforms.
The Conference voiced the need for waking up to the realities of the virtual world, as the line distinguishing it from the physical world is getting blurred. Policy makers must formulate optimal regulations and laws, to manage the digital world in a way which enables innovation led growth, keeping in mind the interests of the various stakeholders, especially consumers.
Different stakeholders including regulators, industry players, research institutions, civil society, academia were present at the event to discuss on the need for an enabling regulatory environment for the growth of Digital Economy.
Key Dignitaries included Pradeep S Mehta (Secretary General, CUTS International), Ram Sewak Sharma (Chairman TRAI), Ajay Kumar (Additional Secretary, MeitY) and Arun Mayaram (Former Finance Secretary, GoI). (KNN/ DA)