Privacy can’t be shield of corrupt, terrorists: Ravi Shankar Prasad -Governance Now

Privacy can’t be shield of corrupt, terrorists: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Our view is that any digital initiative should bring digital inclusion bridging the digital divide, said the minister

Pratap Vikram Singh | November 23, 2017 | New Delhi

#Jan Dhan #digital divide #Aadhaar #Global Conference on Cyberspace #Ravi Shankar Prasad #cyber security

“As a democracy India upholds privacy governed by rule of law and constitution, but privacy can’t prohibit innovation, that’s what we feel,” said union minister for electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Speaking at fifth Global Conference on Cyberspace 2017 in New Delhi on Thursday, the minister said: “Data analysis, data growth are big instruments of future growth, we wish to push that.”

Also Read: Using mobile power or M-power to empower our citizens: Modi

“Most importantly, privacy can’t be the shield of the corrupt, terrorist and the extremists,” he added.

He noted that if these are the nuances, “these are important to secure and make cyber space safe”.

Read: PM Modi launches Umang app

“That is where our (government's) responsibility becomes very important. Abusing this platform for child pornography is again a serious issue,” he said and added: “Our view is any digital initiative should bring digital inclusion bridging the digital divide and most importantly it should be powered by tech which should be affordable, developmental and inclusive.”

“What is the digital profile of India? 1.30 billion people. 1.21 mobile phones. 1.18 Aadhaar numbers-- digitally verifiable identity, completely safe and secure, backed law.”

He went on to say that there were 500 million internet users. “We have opened 300 million bank accounts of the poor under Jan Dhan linked to Aadhaar, mobile and used to send financial entitlement and more than 500 mlllion people have started getting their entitlements and we have saved Rs 57,000 crore, eliminating middlemen.”

“We are laying down optical fibre in 2.5 lakh panchayats. One lakh has been completed. A big model of inclusion is common services centres.”

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