Holistic policy framework for digital ‘Antyodaya’

A series of well-coordinated policy tweaks will help realise the grand vision of Digital India, transforming millions of lives

Reliance on digital connectivity, devices and services continues to grow and is becoming increasingly indispensable across education and entertainment, commerce and communication, healthcare and hospitality, governance and global trade, essentially every aspect of human endeavour. Despite tremendous growth in recent years, not everyone has been able to participate and benefit from it yet.

In line with the grand vision of Digital India as well as the G20 Digital Economy Working Group’s Outcome Document & Chair’s Summary, a comprehensive framework of a mutually exclusive yet collectively exhaustive set of policies is needed in the country to realise digital ‘antyodaya’.

Physical, neurological and learning disabilities afflict a sizable population in India and need varying support to use and participate in the digital economy.

MEANINGFUL UNIVERSAL ACCESS

In addition to its ensuing deployment for network expansion, the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) should subsidise cost for device as well as for service for the targeted beneficiaries based on objective and transparent criteria through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) platform. Requisite skilling, availability of relevant services and applications in local languages are also needed.

DATA PROTECTION

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDPA, 2023) became a reality after 25 years. It is only logical to thoughtfully proceed towards consultative rulemaking. Moreover, significant resources would be needed towards establishing, supporting and strengthening the statutory institution, viz., the Data Protection Board of India.

CYBER SECURITY

Considering the rise in incidents of cybercrime and other challenges in cyberspace, the decade-old National Cyber Security Policy, 2013 must give way to an updated National Cyber Security Strategy. Admittedly, the National Cyber Security Secretariat had sought comments around 3 S’s – Secure (national cyberspace), Strengthen (structures, people, processes, capabilities) and Synergise (resources including cooperation and collaboration). However, this must be expedited and must foster voluntary public-private partnerships while also deterring miscreants.

NON-PERSONAL DATA

Data that is not personal data is called non-personal data (NPD). Following the National Data Accessibility and Sharing Policy, 2012 a lot of government data sets have been put up on the open data portal data.gov.in. Though an earlier version of the Data Protection Bill did include the NPD, it does not find any mention in the recently passed DPDPA, 2023. The government had released a couple of drafts of the data sharing policy. However, the final policy is still awaited.

It is crucial to ensure cybersecurity in our space mission, besides its increasing importance in the realm of national security, intelligence and law enforcement.

ACCESSIBILITY

Physical, neurological and learning disabilities afflict a sizable population in India and need varying support to use and participate in the digital economy. These include, but are not limited to, choices for font sizes, extent of brightness and contrast as well as speech to text and text to speech solutions. Some may need special keyboards or extra time to enter an OTP (one time password). Not many websites in the country comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Hence, the National Policy on Universal Electronics Accessibility, 2013 should be rigorously implemented and if needed, revised and updated.

E-COMMERCE

While the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has already been rolled out, the e-commerce policy should be notified sooner than later even as the government had invited comments on the draft e-commerce policy in 2019. Incidentally, e-commerce in India has been around for more than 25 years.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Much before ChatGPT and its ilk became the rage, NITI Aayog had initiated discussions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 2018. The discussion draft was subsequently adopted as the National Strategy For AI. Admittedly, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) had also initiated their respective discussions on AI. Some states have their own AI policies.

COORDINATION PLATFORM

Issues pertaining to digital ecosystem are dispersed across multiple ministries, departments, and agencies. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) deals with digital connectivity while the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) deals with issues of cyber law and e-governance, etc. On the other hand, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) deals with the streaming of digital content, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) deals with the e-commerce policy while the Ministry of Consumer Affairs deals with issues of consumer protection.

A coordination mechanism under the PMO is needed to minimise incidents of overlaps and gaps while also orchestrating optimal use of resources towards the objective of digital ‘Antyodaya’.

In addition, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) deals with cybercrime while the Ministry of Women & Child Development (WCD) looks at online safety of women and children. Incidentally, the national cyber security strategy had been initiated by the National Cyber Security Coordinator within the National Security Coordination Secretariat. Besides the National Critical Information Infrastructure Centre (NCIIPC) under the National Technology Research Organisation (NTRO), there are sectoral bodies in charge of cyber security.

All the financial sector regulators have also been quite active in the space of banking, payments, securities, insurance, and pension. NITI Aayog is engaged in AI. In addition, each state has its own respective IT departments and policies. Last but not the least, it is crucial to ensure cybersecurity in our space mission, besides its increasing importance in the realm of national security, intelligence and law enforcement.

Accordingly, a coordination mechanism under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is needed to minimise the incidents of overlaps and gaps while also orchestrating optimal use of scarce resources towards the common objective of digital ‘Antyodaya’.

By Deepak Maheshwari

The author is a public policy professional.

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