The Curious Case of India’s Personal Data Protection Bill
We are more than just citizens today. We are netizens. With our digitized lives, we rely on the internet for everything from random queries to daily payments. The country has nearly 450 million Internet users and a growth rate of 7-8%. India is well on the path to becoming a digital economy with a large market for global players. Data being constantly shared and received mustn’t fall into the wrong hands. India’s Personal Data Protection Bill focuses on making data sharing safe and secure. What is the Data Protection Bill? As India’s first attempt to legislate the issue of personal data protection, the Bill aims — “To provide for the protection of the privacy of individuals relating to their data, specify the flow and usage of personal data, create a relationship of trust between persons and entities processing the personal data, protect the fundamental rights of individuals whose personal data is processed, to create a framework for organizational and technical measures in the processing of data, laying down norms for social media intermediary, cross-border transfer, accountability of entities processing personal data, remedies for unauthorized and harmful processing, and to establish a Data Protection Authority of India for the said purposes and matters connected in addition to that or incidental thereto.” The Bill mandates users and citizens to provide the government with any non-personal data when demanded. The Bill asks for a Data Protection Authority to form, which will be in charge of definition-making, reviews, and audits. The Bill states penalties worth as high as Rs. 5 Crores or 2% of worldwide turnover for minor violations and Rs. 15 Crores, or 4% of worldwide turnover for more severe violations. The company’s executive may also face legal trials and jail time for up to three years under the law. The Bill has three main categories- • Personal Data- Data that contains confirmation details like name, address, etc. • Sensitive Personal Data (SPD)- Data that contains critical information like financial status, sexual orientation, biometrics, etc. • Critical Personal Data- If stolen, data can be a national issue of concern like military or national security, confidential information, etc. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology gathered a committee to study the issue of data protection. The committee after analysis and discussion submitted the draft for the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 in July 2018. The Cabinet Ministry of India after further observations approved the draft as the Personal Data Protection Bill 2019 on the 11th of December 2019. Why is Such A Bill Necessary? The reality is that almost every single activity undertaken by an individual involves some sort of data transaction. The data or information gathered should be used for the intended reasons. It became necessary to establish authority for those who collect, store, and process personal data. In addition, rights for people whose data is held. Not quite long ago, external and domestic consumer customers expressed concern about the country’s data protection and privacy regulations as being ineffective. A few incidences have questioned the data protection and privacy regulations in India, embarrassing the outsourcing sector. Data Protection Laws can help enforce cybersecurity and give an internet experience without any kind of infringement. Recently, users witnessed many WhatsApp hacks and data leaks have users. One more issue is spreading fake news about national security threats and other instances. Enforcement laws can curb such instances. Data Protection Around The World Globally, there are several contrasting and similar Data Protection Laws, models, and approaches. In Europe, the right to privacy is fundamental freedom intended to uphold one’s dignity. The European Charter of Fundamental Rights (EU Charter), mentions the right to privacy. Along with the right to the protection of personal data. EU GDPR or the General Data Protection Regulation was initially more of global law for data protection. It was for associations that dealt with processed data on a global basis. In the US, privacy protection is essentially a “liberty protection” i.e. protection of the personal space from the government. There are no official laws at the federal level in the country. But, there are some federal legislations that protect data more generally. Several US states have adopted their data-related legislation due to the transfer of power to the state level. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) provides robust privacy rights and consumer protection. Brazil has the General Data Protection Law ( Brazil’s Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados). It specifies the terms “personal data” and “public data,” and lays down specific obligations, applied to all areas of the nation. The United Kingdom’s Data Protection Act 2018 has already implemented the requirements of the EU’s GDPR into UK law from 01 January 2021. It was dissolved thanks to Brexit, in 2021 and new regulations will apply thereafter. Criticism The Indian Bill tabled in 2019, however, faced a lot of criticism both from companies and the citizens of the country. Critics pointed out that the Bill had a lot of loopholes and open-ended definitions that may result in the state intruding on a person’s private life. Critics observed that through this Bill, the government can “at any time access private data or government agency data. On grounds of sovereignty or public order.” The bill needs to be revised and respect the fundamental Right to Privacy. The Government took the criticism into a review which led to withdrawing the Bill in Lok Sabha. The Bill is currently under scrutiny and a revised draft will soon be submitted for the Personal Data Protection Bill. Improvements The prime focus of the revised Bill should be to find a balance between securing data and data privacy. Data Localization is a crucial step but should be initiated with organic categorizations and solutions. New Personal Data Protection Bill will be introduced in next Parliament session: Center informs SC during WhatsApp Privacy Policy hearing.
Live Service Games Keep Players Looped With Constant Upgrades
A decade ago, our most advanced game was a ball bouncing between two sticks. Today, gaming is a leading industry with new developments almost every other day. In the mid-2000s, gaming services focused on increasing player retention. They wanted players to be engaged even when they have cleared levels. That’s how ‘Live Service Games’ were created. What is Live Service Gaming? Live service games are unique kinds of video games made to keep players interested and playing for as long as possible. This means that companies develop a game they can upgrade for years to come rather than creating one game and moving on to the next. DOTA 2, Valorant, and Fortnite are examples of such live service games. They are constantly upgraded with new stages and worlds for high engagement. The player will constantly be introduced to new worlds, tasks, and obstacles to tackle. Keeping games going for longer instead of ending them and transitioning to a sequel is swiftly becoming the norm instead of the exception. With brief titles, constant updates allow games to be in the public eye for longer. Resulting in catching the attention of existing and potential players. How Do They Profit? Live Service Games don’t require an initial cost of cash and instead generate their revenue via subscriptions or in-game purchases. It has been shown that Games as a Service keeps players more interested for a longer period and enables video games to be monetized even after they are published. People often keep YouTube live streams while playing these games. The streaming game community is strong with thousands of users watching and streaming online games. Live service games are quite a controversial topic because game developers have been charged with utilizing deceptive tactics to get players to spend money. Some have even compared the use of loot boxes to gambling.
Role of Parents in Shaping Children’s Career Paths
Choosing a career is a crucial decision in an individual’s life. In hopes of finding a clear picture, people often turn to elders for advice, especially parents. But do these advices always remain advices or turn into parental pressure, directly or indirectly? Growing up, we go to our parents for every difficulty, big or small. In a kid’s eyes, their parents have the solution to everything. We look up to them as guides, their opinion is the game-changer in any case. With time, as our minds grow and develop a unique mindset, self-opinions start to generate. We look at the world through our lens instead of grown-ups’. This is when every decision should appeal to you with no other opinion clashing. Both of these instances are part of two different parts of life where both parties, parents and young adults, want nothing but the best. The difference is between mindset and compliance. Is There a Right or Wrong In This? This is a matter where we can’t color in as good or bad, right or wrong. This lands in the little gray area in between. Parents want what is best for their children. For them to not make the same mistakes they once made. On the other hand, budding adults want their life to be the way they approach them with decisions and steps of their own. This results in a clash of ideas where parents see it as guidance, and students as parental pressure. Looking At It Through Numbers A recent Joblist survey looks at how much parental impact there is on academic and job decisions. Focused on Gen-X, Millennial, and Gen-Z people who are already in the workforce. And to put it simply, this influence is profound. The majority of respondents (65%) work in a profession that was their parents’ choice. 48% of people felt that their parents strongly influenced their career path. While 40% felt pressured to follow their parents’ career advice. More than half of people felt that their parents forced them to go to college. (48% of Gen X, 57.6% of Millennials, and 57% of Gen Z). 2 in 3 parents said they felt disappointed that their child did not follow their desired career. Exchanging Ideas and Not Preaching Decisions The decision to pursue a career should not be a last-minute addition to high school. It’s a crucial aspect of the self-discovery that kids must go through as they grow up. Academic and career decisions have an impact on the rest of their lives. Having the experience to talk about, parents initiate the talk with their children young. What sometimes happens is parents projecting their mindset onto the minds of young adults. The discussion which started as an exchange of ideas and experiences turns into parental pressure. Making the kids feel like they are being led in a particular direction by their parents. According to the Joblist study, this influence translates itself into pressure as reported by 40% of the respondents. Parents need to be conscious of the effects they have. Both positive and negative, based on the values they instill in them. For instance, Parents instill the value of higher marks as a measure of success in students. Preventing them from selecting an art degree over a traditional professional path like law or medicine. Meanwhile, A child with more accepting parents may feel freer to explore various professions without parental pressure. When parents preach about these notions and career paths, it is based on what they know and what they experience. According to them, this is the way things were and how they are. Sometimes their ties with the outer world are existent but limited. They intentionally or unintentionally consider one path the way to go. Resulting in parental pressure. There can be a drastic difference between what parents encourage and what a child wants. “Since parents generally live with the child during the formative years, they tend to exert a relatively strong influence on how their children make career decisions,” says Daniele Clarke, a registered psychologist. “While most parents report having little to no influence on their children’s careers, research shows that children have a different perception stating that their parents played a significant role in their career choices.” Parental Pressure and Mental Health Due to the build-up pressure over the years, students have a constant fear of pressure (parental and societal). Students experience anxiety as a result of parental pressure to perform well throughout their academic careers. In certain cases, this anxiety can result in eating disorders, depression, and even something worse. The unlikely art of parental pressure results in these young and confused minds not having someone to go to. Someone who would give them an honest unbiased opinion without any additions of their own. To tell them things the way they are with possibilities and consequences. But at the same time, Students should not feel ignored or neglected. Their choices and opinions should not go undisclosed. As they can gather an image of their parents being uninterested or not caring enough about the future. There is again a gray area where there is a balance between indulgence and healthy communication. A Simple and Healthy Conversation To start a conversation, “What do you love to do?” and What do you do well?” are two points to focus on. It can be tempting as a parent to respond to your child’s queries because, after all, who knows them better than you do? By asking questions and then paying close attention to the replies, you may boost their voice in the career decision. As compared to a lecture, a meaningful career talk is a conversation. The reality is, that everyone should feel satisfied and proud of the career they want to pursue.
Netflix Introduces Low-Price Subscription Plans: Ads to Run In-Between Content
With more and more content being launched through OTT platforms, they are no more mere side portals to watch movies and series when there is nothing worth it on television or in theatres. There is content specifically crafted for OTT platforms, sometimes even produced by the OTT platform itself. Netflix is one of the first platforms to have breakthroughs followed by several others. A pioneer of sorts. Netflix has recently introduced a new lower-priced subscription tier along with their existing subscription plans. The catch in this plan is that there will now be advertisement interruptions while users watch their shows and movies. This plan was introduced after Netflix had built its binge-worth and ad-free community. This new ad-supported algorithm of Netflix is surprising to users as just in 2020, Netflix had ruled out advertising on the platform. The changed business model, however, wasn’t accepted well by the viewers of Netflix making it suffer from its first subscriber loss for the first time in over a decade. The Lower-Priced Subscription The hybrid advertising-subscription tier is Netlfix’s way of adopting a new business model which aims to gather revenue through not just subscription fees, but also from additional advertising and promotional charges. It’s essential to keep in mind that not all Netflix subscription tiers will include advertising. According to the present proposal, there will be a single, newly established, and less expensive subscription tier financed by advertising, with a price point aimed at the US market of $7-9 per month. This will be less expensive than the current least expensive package, which costs USD $9.99 per month. These prices will be adjusted to reflect the various currency markets that Netflix operates in as well as the going rates there. Streaming and Advertising Advertisements will be carried out for 4 minutes every hour of content. Netflix originals will be free from these advertisements for a limited period, but all the existing and new genres of shows and movies will have promotional sets in between. Netflix also suggests pre-roll ads rather than in-between ads as the latter may disrupt the link the viewer has with the ongoing series or movie. Future Experiments With OTT Before Netflix, OTT platforms like Disney+, Discovery+, and Hulu have previously experimented with adopting this ad-supported business model. These platforms are a way to reach new audiences and maximize revenues. Will OTT end up being the same as mainstream television?
Lake Powell Loses Capacity and Shrinks Due to Drought
Lake Powell is the second largest man-made reservoir in the US with a capacity of 25,166,000 acre-feet. Due to the intense multiyear drought that hit the country, it has lost nearly 7% of its potential storage capacity since 1963. Lake Powell went through an average annual loss in storage capacity of about 33,270 acre-feet or 11 billion gallons per year between 1963 and 2018. The amount of loss is able to fill several full-sized pools. What is the Cause? According to the research, particles from the Colorado and San Juan rivers are reducing the reservoir’s capacity. These sediments accumulate at the reservoir’s bottom and reduce the volume of water the reservoir can contain overall. In the Colorado River Basin, Lake Powell is an important reservoir. The largest reservoir in the country, Lake Mead, which is close by, and Lake Powell have both been draining rapidly. As a result of Lake Mead’s water level dropping to previously unheard-of lows in August, the federal government for the first time mandated water use reductions for states in the Southwest, which started in January. The Affected Regions More than 40 million people who live in seven Western states and Mexico are served by the system. Many people in the area, including rural farms, ranches, and indigenous settlements, depend on the Lakes Powell and Mead for irrigation and drinking water. Since last week, Lake Powell fell below the crucial level of 3,525 feet above sea level, and new worries about the availability of water and the hydroelectric plants that provide electricity to millions of people in the West were raised. “It is vitally important we have the best available scientific information like this report to provide a clear understanding of water availability in Lake Powell as we plan for the future,” says Tanya Trujillo, assistant secretary for water and science with the US Department of Interior. He further stated, “The Colorado River system faces multiple challenges, including the effects of a 22-year-long drought and the increased impacts of climate change.”
Tata Group May Join The Exclusive Club of iPhone Manufacturers
The gap between China and India is said to have shrunk from two months to six weeks. The Tata Group is reportedly in talks with Taiwan-based Wistron Corp to join the ranks of iPhone makers in India, as Apple looks to expand its Indian manufacturing unit. If the talks reach an agreement, Wistron, an Apple supplier, will establish an electronics manufacturing joint venture in the country with the Tata Group Company. Background Apple has been making slow progress toward reducing its reliance on China as a manufacturing center for some time, and the initiative has become more pressing as the threat of disruption in both China and Taiwan has grown more real. Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the US House of Representatives, visited Taiwan to show US support at a time when there are growing fears of a Chinese invasion. It was intended to send a message to Beijing that the US is serious about its legal commitment to assist Taiwan in defending itself against any military attack by China. Could this deal trigger the India- China Relations As the talks progress and the agreement is implemented, Tata Group company could become the first Indian company to manufacture Apple iPhones, capturing a market dominated by Taiwanese manufacturing giants such as Wistron and Foxconn Technology Group in China and India. An Indian company producing iPhones could be a huge boost to the country’s efforts to challenge China, whose dominance in electronics manufacturing has been threatened by rolling Covid lockdowns and political tensions with the US. It may also persuade other international electronics manufacturers to consider holding a meeting in India in order to reduce their reliance on China at a time of growing volatility. The Way Forward The new venture aims to increase the number of iPhones produced by Wistron in India by up to fivefold in the future. According to sources, the Tatas group company may purchase a stake in Wistron’s manufacturing business in addition to smartphones. Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran has stated that electronics and high-tech manufacturing will be key focus areas for the company in the future. The most recent report is consistent with Chandrasekaran’s plans.
Wildlife Preservation: India Imports Cheetahs to Prevent Extinction
Modern-day lifestyle on the one hand has elevated the lives of citizens in urban areas. But on the other hand, it has severely affected forest lands and wildlife thanks to the wastage and deforestation measures under the same lifestyle. Wildlife preservation is a cause the world is working on but failing as more species go extinct. According to the World Wide Funds for Nature, there are around 2 million different species on our planet, and between 200 and 2,000 extinctions occur every year. Cheetahs are one such species of big cats that are already on their way to extinction in several regions. India had its latest trace of cheetahs 75 years earlier in 1947. The species was declared extinct in the country. A Unique Solution An attempt to re-introduce the big cat in the country, the government of India has forged a plan to fly seven cheetahs- five females and three males between four to six years of age, from Namibia to India on the 17th of September 2022. Under their Mission LiFE, the government aims to build a truly inclusive world where human life doesn’t overtake the ecosystem built for our flora and fauna that existed even before we did. Project Cheetah will focus on restoring the neglected habitats that will further preserve biodiversity and re-flourish the previously existing ecosystem for wildlife all over. The cheetahs will be taken to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno-Palpur National Park. The world’s fastest cat will be brought to India through a chartered cargo flight. The radio-collared animals will be housed in cages that are 114 cm x 118 cm x 84 cm long during the flight journey. They won’t be sedated but will be fed for two to three days prior to the trip. Three vets from South Africa, Namibia, and India will be traveling with the animals. According to Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav, all preparations for the cheetahs’ international relocation are finished. After Arrival Precautions The animals will be kept under a month-long quarantine. There will be six separate quarantine enclosures for the newly arrived species. Later, the cheetahs will be shifted to bigger enclosures where they can adapt to the new environment. It is important to know that under these enclosures, the animals will be able to hunt, roam, and breed. Their health and vitals will be closely monitored to make sure their adaptation to this new environment is successful. The cheetahs will roam free in a 5,000 sq km area in the National Park.
International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction
“Take action, start something. Stop food loss and waste. For the people. For the planet.” On September 29, 2022, the International Day of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) will be observed for the third time. The IDAFLW will issue a clear call to action for public and private entities from across the food system, as well as consumers, to collaborate to reduce food loss and waste (FLW) and support food security and nutrition. Stop Wasting Food! For both people and the environment! In many countries, the food supply chain is on track to surpass farming and land use as the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Food processing and packaging, as well as transportation and food waste, are pushing the food supply chain to the top of the list of global GHG emitters. Global solutions in food processing, such as cleaner technologies and sustainable manufacturing practices, are being adopted to mitigate these environmental impacts. Globally, approximately 14% of food produced is lost between harvest and retail, with an estimated 17% of total global food production wasted (11 percent in households, 5 percent in the food service, and 2 percent in retail). The International Day of Food Loss and Waste is an opportunity to mobilize both the public (national or local governments) and private sector (businesses and individuals) to prioritize actions and move forward with innovation to reduce food loss and waste to restore and rebuild better and more resilient food systems. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically SDG 12, Target 12.3, calls for halving global food waste per capita at the retail and consumer levels, as well as reducing food losses along the production and supply chains. Why is it critical to reduce food waste and loss? Food waste and loss jeopardize the sustainability of our food systems. When food is lost or wasted, all of the resources used to produce it, including water, land, energy, labor, and capital, are wasted. Furthermore, the disposal of food waste and loss in landfills produces greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. Food loss and waste can also hurt food security and availability, as well as contribute to rising food prices. Our food systems cannot be resilient unless they are sustainable, which is why we must prioritize the adoption of integrated approaches to reduce food loss and waste. Global and local actions are required to maximize the use of the food we produce. Technology, innovative solutions (such as e-commerce platforms for marketing and retractable mobile food processing systems), new ways of working, and good practices to manage food quality and reduce food loss and waste are critical to implementing this transformative change. With only eight years left to achieve SDG 12 targets 1, 2, and 3, there is an urgent need to accelerate action to reduce food loss and waste.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Reaching Out to Those In Need
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death. An estimated 703,000 people lose their lives due to suicide. September is “Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.” Directly connected with someone’s mental health and condition, this cause of death even though is leading, is somehow taboo to be discussed and processed. Every suicidal death is a public health issue that has a significant effect on the people in the community. We can lower the number of suicides worldwide by increasing knowledge, removing the stigma associated with it, and promoting informed action. As members of society, as children, as parents, as friends, as coworkers, or just as human beings, we can all contribute to helping those who are in a suicidal crisis or who have lost a loved one to suicide. We can all spread awareness of the problem, help those who are in need, and share our personal experiences. Through our actions, we may all spread hope and shine a light. Resources and Ways to Help The theme for this year is “Creating hope through action.” The slogan supports and encourages the creation of an environment of hope and positivity not just by words, but by actions. Not just by posting uplifting quotes online, but also to check up on our near and dear. To make sure they are doing fine and if they need help. WHO has a unique “LIVE LIFE” approach for suicide prevention. There are four strategies- Restricting easy availability of hazardous substances which can act as means of suicide Educating media about reporting suicide. Educating the public about recognizing and correct ways of helping individuals. Early identification of suspicious or concerning behavior, handling and approach to said behavior, and usage of resources and helplines to further prevent the issue. If you or someone you know have been having a hard time in life, it is important to know that you are not alone and are loved. Asking for help is always the best option.
Metaverse: The Future of Business and Interactions
The Metaverse is the next step for gaming. A world where once you put on the metaverse VR, you can interact, socialize, fight, and basically live out your life in this alternate artificial universe. 59% of U.S adults expect metaverse to have a greater impact on our lives and the world in general in another year or two. Through a recent study by KPMG, it was found that the metaverse is not limited to just gaming as we all thought. “With each interaction, people are becoming more accustomed to engaging in everyday activities in the metaverse. From banking and telemedicine to learning and working, the medium we use to communicate and interact is perpetually shifting towards virtual,” said Cliff Justice, U.S Leader of KPMG Deeper Impact Than Expected Metaverse is on its way to completely transforming the way that consumers and businesses interact, conduct business, socialize, and work. 92% of respondents who use the metaverse think it improves learning opportunities, such as job training, schooling, and further education, while 86% say it offers chances for entrepreneurship, such as marketing and selling. Metaverse has further potential to make interactions possible from long distances while giving the feeling of an actual face-to-face discussion. Beyond socialization, telemedicine (72%), virtual shopping apps (67%), virtual work (65%), and starting a business (51%) rank the highest. Read More: How NFTs Will Transform Data Ownership in the Metaverse? Current Utilization of Metaverse The majority of current metaverse users are happy with their virtual adventures. The top experiences among people who have engaged with the metaverse are beginning a business (91%), playing cooperative online games and simulations (91%), and engaging in brand-created immersive virtual experiences (87%). Users also report that the metaverse has reached outside the world of gaming and is actively been used in formal and informal settings including virtual meetings with family and friends (73%), telemedicine (72%), virtual shopping apps (67%), virtual work (65%) and starting a business (51%). Metaverse and its latest developments no longer leave it as an “augmented reality”, but a new opportunity for the world to adapt to.