Topic-Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
4) The debate on data localisation must not be reduced to a simple binary of whether data localisation is good or bad. Comment.(250 words)
Why this question
There have been talks and some policy suggestions towards data localization not only in India but also in other big economies. The article provides an insight into the various dimensions of the issue and how data should be treated.
Directive word
Comment- here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to express our knowledge and understanding on the issue of data protection and data localization and form an opinion as to why it is wrong to view data protection measures by assuming that either data localization is good or bad.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- write a few introductory lines about the growing digitisation of the global economy and society, which creates huge amount of data. Also mention the growing concerns for data protection.
Body-
Discuss your points in favour or against the statement- The debate on data localisation must not be reduced to a simple binary of whether data localisation is good or bad. E.g
- Discuss the importance of data. E.g Data, and digital intelligence derived from it, are universally acknowledged as the key economic resources in the digital society. Who owns, controls and accesses data determines who gets what piece of the overall economic cake; A lot of privately held digital data are needed for policymaking and governance;digital societies and economies get ruled globally by the most powerful corporations and governments, which work in a mutually reinforcing manner. Data localisation attempts to bring back the rule of law to our digital and ‘datafied’ existence. etc.
- Discuss the diversity of data and hence a varied approach towards data localization. E.g Data are of many kinds — there is news and information; personal, community and corporate data; data concerning common business activities, military, banking, health, education and agriculture; and so on. Some of these data are very sensitive, some are needed for effective regulation, some for governance and policymaking, and some for economic development, infrastructure and sharing. It is therefore a matter of what kind of data requires what kind of regulatory regime – localisation, global free flow, or various shades of grey in-between etc.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
