India’s Digital Sovereignty: Balancing Control, Security, And Individual Rights – OpEd
In the context of the ever-changing digital environment, the issue of digital independence has become one of the most discussed topics in the governments of various countries. India, with its rapidly growing internet users, is part of this discourse that is trying to exercise a vast amount of control over its online space. Digital sovereignty is the ability of a state to regulate and control digital information within its territory. The concept of sovereignty is the core of India’s efforts to regulate the internet. This process entails a proactive attempt to claim sovereignty over the data produced by Indians. It involves number of legal and technical initiatives, aimed at keeping digital information within the Government’s sphere of control in a bid to improve its capacity to manage Internet use.
Freedom of expression is the basic right of people applicable in both physical and digital realms. Different countries seem to treat this basic right in different manners. India the largest democracy of the world, has been treating internet freedom in a more autocratic manner. Incessant and frequent shut down of internet services in Indian held Kashmir for protracted period of time, is a case in point. Reportedly, the Indian Government is working on several fronts to have more control over the internet. Data localization laws and the possibility of implementing a national tracking system emerge as the key elements of this strategy. This is in sync with a global trend, where governments are seen attempting to achieve security, control, and individual rights in the digital age.
The policy of data localization is one of the most effective instruments of India’s digital sovereignty strategy. These laws demand that data collected from Indians be hosted on servers in the country. The most common reason for data localization is security, specifically, the security of a nation state. The Indian Government wants to prevent data from being accessed by foreign surveillance and possible cyber threats, which is why it wants to keep the data within the country. Also, data localization makes it possible for the Indian authorities to regulate and control the data since it is within the country and is bound by Indian laws and regulations.
Data localization has consequences that go beyond national security. These laws are a plethora of problems for the international companies operating in India. Local data centers and infrastructures are necessary for companies to invest in, which can be expensive and challenging. However, the Indian Government continues to support data localization as an instrument of policy. This approach is crucial for managing the situation in the digital space and preserving national interests. The advocates of data localization have claimed that data localization will result in the creation of new industries in the local markets. In addition, they argue that storing data locally can improve privacy safeguards because data is then regulated by strict local laws. Sceptics have claimed that such steps may slow down development and reduce the capacity of Indian companies to operate on the international level. Moreover, data localization can distort the international exchange of information, which affects services that depend on the transfer of data across borders.
Apart from data localization, the Indian Government is also considering the implementation of a unique identification number. This system would give the authorities the ability to have a closer look at the citizens’ activities online and get a clear picture of the interactions that take place in the digital realm within the country. The justification for this action is to improve security and prevent cybercriminal activities, terrorism and other evils in cyberspace. The Government can thus monitor the online activities in a bid to counter any threats before those get to act on them.
Contrarily, the idea of a national tracking system is rather worrisome when it comes to privacy. Opponents have claimed that such a system may result in more censorship and less freedom for Indian citizens. The capacity to spy on online activities could be abused to limit freedom of speech and opposition. Furthermore, the amount of information that would be generated through such a system could be at risk of compromise or hacking, which could lead to leakage of important information. While this has dire ramification towards basic right of privacy, it goes well with the policies of Modi led BJP Government.
It is always difficult to strike a balance between security and the rights of individuals. The Indian Government’s attempts to increase digital autonomy must be done in a balanced manner so that the rights of the people are not infringed. This is not an India-specific problem; Governments all over the world are facing similar problems as these try to tame the new frontier of the internet.
The recent article in an Indian magazine highlights the challenges and implications of India’s drive for digital self-reliance. As the Government seeks to implement stricter measures on the use of the internet, it has to balance on the security and freedom of people. This balance is important in order to make sure that the digital environment is still a place for creativity and freedom of speech and connection with other people all over the world and at the same time, protecting the security of the people. Keeping in view the policies and trends of BJP Government, freedom of expression figures out low on its priority.
One possible way to strike this balance is through the adoption of proper data protection regulations. Indian Government needs to set guidelines on how data is collected, stored, and used so that privacy of the individual is not violated while at the same time allowing for surveillance and control. Also, the measures of transparency and accountability can assist in the formation of the public trust in governmental actions and avoid the abuses of the powers.
International cooperation also has an important role in solving the problems of digital sovereignty. Due to the fact that the internet is a global platform, no country should be able to regulate it on its own. International cooperation can assist in setting up international norms and standards for Internet governance, so that the measures aimed at increasing security do not infringe upon the rights of citizens.
India’s drive to become digitally self-sufficient is not an isolated case as more governments around the globe are attempting to exert increased control over the digital realm. Although such actions are sometimes justified by genuine security considerations; this ought to be carried out in a way that is compatible with the principles of freedom. The question of how much security and control should be allowed over the internet, while respecting people’s rights will determine the future of the internet regulation not only for India but for the whole world.
In nutshell, the experience that India will gain as it advances its digital sovereignty agenda remain to be consequential. Through the careful management of the internet regulation issues, India has the chance to become a model for the digital sovereignty that is possible without negation of the principles of the open web. However, given the autocratic tendencies of Modi Government, possibility of misusing this authority, cannot be ignored.
