Hyderabad: With data theft being in the headlines ever since the scam broke out, Deccan Chronicle caught up with Cyberabad commissioner M. Stephen Ravindra on the issue. He dwelt in detail about what data theft was all about, its effects on individuals, economy, national security and the preventive measures to thwart future thefts and the rights of individuals allowing companies to use their data. Excerpts
What is data theft?
In this digital era, people are opting for various services like education, health care, banking and e-commerce. They share their details with the service providers in the form of different data points. This way one’s complete information, including their confidential and sensitive information is available. As per IT rules, one’s data cannot be processed, profiled or sold to anybody, without the consent of the individual. Leave alone their consent, this data is leaked out without their knowledge. Miscreants use this data to create a new identity. This identity is neither known to the individuals nor is it in their control. It is used on their behalf and even against them.
How can such data be used in committing crimes?
Cyber criminals use them to contact individuals and loot them. Criminals can even impersonate using the data of the persons in their possession and commit crimes. This data could also be used for committing illegal activities.
How can data theft affect national security and the economy?
If the data of defence personnel, employees working in national critical infrastructure and vital installations is leaked, they could become soft targets for anti-nationals. Data like that of frequent flyers could also give out details of some VVIPs involved in national security aspects, which is otherwise highly confidential. Further, using the data, cyber criminals can mint money from individuals, resort to cyber-attacks and hackings, which all can adversely impact the economy.
What measures can one take to save their data being stolen or misused?
The first and foremost is to always ask why their data is being asked and not reveal details. Some places might not need your mobile number, Aadhar number, PAN and bank details but still they are asked and people share it to avail services. This has to be taken care of.
How are companies collecting data of customers?
Every company, under the garb of providing service to its customers, makes them agree to their terms and conditions and privacy policies. But the customer should also have the right to disagree to certain conditions. The customers are coerced to agree to the conditions laid down by the companies. Even the privacy policy with technical jargon and lengthy descriptions are so confusing to a common man that he rarely reads the entire content.
How can one prevent data theft?
If the Digital Data Protection Bill is passed, the responsibility increases on companies collecting the data of individuals and the entire burden to protect the data would also be on them. Further, individuals can proceed against companies legally if their data is found to be stolen or misused. The bill would also make the entire process of data processing more transparent and accountable.
