Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Tuesday 7 August 2018

How About a Contractual Option ?




Following news reports appeared in today’s papers :


Suggest ways to block Facebook, WhatsApp during emergency situations: DoT 

 

Telecom companies asked to explore ways to block social media apps 

 




Extracts :

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is examining the option of blocking popular social media apps such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram and Instagram in order to curb fake news and child pornography, and has asked telcos and internet service providers to suggest ways for doing so.
 

“You are …requested to explore various possible options and confirm how the Instagram/Facebook/WhatsApp/Telegram and other such mobile apps can be blocked on internet,” DoT said in a letter dated July 18. The letter was marked to telcos including Airtel, Jio, Vodafone, Idea, besides telecom and ISP industry bodies. 


MeitY has informed DoT that blocking such apps during emergency situations are difficult as they work through multiple IP addresses and different protocols , which is why a ROBUST SOLUTION is required to protect national security

-----------------------------------------------------------

My  Take :


·         Why talk about blocking only social media apps ?


·         What is the point in blocking only during certain periods ?


·          Other than “ temporary blocking “ of “ only social media apps “ , is there a permanent solution ?


·         Other than “ Telcos & ISPs “ , does not other stakeholders  too have a say in this matter ?


·         Why confine the issues to only “ Child Porn “ and “ Fake News “ ?


·         What are our options other than “ blocking “ ?


·         What is our “ Bargaining Position “ ?


·         What is it that the Government itself considers a “ reasonable good solution to protect national security “ ?


·         Why are we adopting this “ wishy washy “ and “ knee jerk “ approach  ?


·         In 2010 , the Chinese Government told Google , “ Quit China “ / We have BAIDU !



·         On 09 Aug 1942 , a frail Mahatma Gandhi , having nothing more than a moral power , told the mighty British Empire , “ Quit India



·         76 years later , it is time to tell all Online Platforms / Mobile Apps ( whether local or foreign ) , you have the following options :


 “ Quit India “ or enter into a CONTRACT  with DPA ( Data Protection Authority ) as envisaged in

 ,



If we do not take such a firm stand , expect the likes of Facebook to siphon away personal / private data of Indian Citizens and sell it all over the world !



If in doubt , read :




What next ?


Every Tom , Dick and Harry , selling following data of Indian Citizens  ?



     Who I am ( name )


·         Where and when, I was born / who were my parents


·         Where I grew up / where I live currently


·         Do I live in a rented place or in an owned flat


·         What Schools / Colleges I attended ( - and degrees I acquired )


·         What Companies I worked for and salaries I got


·         How I travel to work ( own vehicle or public transport )


·         Where I go for my holidays / what books I read


·         Who I married and who are my children ( - and how many )


·         If divorced , how much alimony I pay and to whom


·         Where I invest my money ( Banks – Funds – Equity etc )


·         How much I have borrowed from whom and for how long


·         My Credit ranking  ( including my spending history / card wise – wallet wise )


·         What are my eating ( food ) preferences and the restaurants I visit


·         What I do for entertainment ( Music / Movies / Videos )


·         What clothes I wear and how often do I buy


·         Who are my friends and how often I phone / text them / meet them


·         What ailments I suffer from and what medicines I take


·         What minor offences ( traffic ) or crimes that I have committed


·         What elections I have contested ( won and lost )


·         Who are my doctors / lawyers / brokers / agents etc


·         What web sites I visit and how often and for how long


·         What do I search on the Net / What RSS feeds I subscribe to


·         What TV channels I watch and Radio Stations that I listen to


·         Every photo of mine ever taken ( selfie or otherwise )



·         Every phone call that I ever made or received



·         Every Email / Text message that I ever sent or received


·         Every blog / comment that I ever posted on the Web



·         Every face-to-face communication that I engaged in



The only option that spells “  win win “ for the Online Sellers ( of products or services ) , and
the Indian Government , has to be a Contract between Equals



If anyone has an option which is better than “  A  Matter  of  Motives  “ , let all hear about that
Now



07  Aug  2018


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