Kris Gopalakrishnan Committee on Data Protection submits Draft Report

The Expert Committee on Non-Personal Data Governance Framework set up by the government with the Infosys co-founder, Mr Kris Gopalakrishnan, as the chairman has published its report regarding regulation of data and prevention of monopolistic practices in the country. The report has been submitted to the Ministry of Electronics and IT, Government of India.

According to the panel, it should be ensured that data is not centralized within a cartel of big players such as Facebook, Google, Amazon, etc. since it will create an imbalance in the whole ecosystem. The process of data collection, analysis, sharing, distribution of gains from the data and finally its destruction should be regulated strictly in a market such as India.

While this has been the recurring theme in the report, the panel has also highlighted the entry barriers faced by the start-ups in the country because of the big players. Though the organizations here are trying to generate income through new ways, the government has to encourage it whole-heartedly and also ensure data privacy.

Background of Data protection and regulation in India

The importance of data is increasing in this digital age and various countries are now concerned with data regulation and protection of data. While the European Union has come out with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), in India also, the Personal Data Protection Bill has been introduced already in the Lok Sabha. Now, the government is focusing on the non-personal data front also and is planning to introduce a bill in that regard also. The recommendations of the panel have been put up for public consultation as of now.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2020