The recent news about the PAN 2.0 upgrade, with its enhanced features like QR codes mentioned in the Mathrubhumi article [https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/pan-2-0-reprint-qr-code-y9gaotgc], brings a familiar sense of reflection to me. It’s another clear indicator of the ceaseless march of technology into every facet of our lives, particularly our digital identities and financial interactions.
I’ve spent years pondering this very trajectory. Back in 2017, I penned my thoughts in a blog titled "Privacy does not live here!" [http://emailothers.blogspot.com/2017/07/privacy-does-not-live-here.html], where I outlined how the rise of digital tools and platforms inevitably leads to the capture and sharing of immense personal data, often without explicit consent. I questioned then whether privacy could truly exist in a world increasingly shaped by technology. The introduction of enhanced systems like PAN 2.0, while undoubtedly offering convenience and efficiency, only amplifies these concerns.
My earlier reflections on the pervasive nature of data collection, spurred by technologies like Google Glass and AI applications, feel incredibly prescient today. I remember discussing how even Microsoft's "Seeing AI" app, championed by individuals like Satya Nadela, could interpret emotions and gather personal information without a direct prompt, as I explored in "Seeing AI through Google Glass?" [http://emailothers.blogspot.com/2017/07/re-for-attn-shri-sadanand-gowdaji_25.html]. This was a stark demonstration of how technology could 'acquire without asking.'
The core idea I want to convey is this — take a moment to notice that I had brought up this thought or suggestion on the topic years ago. I had already predicted this outcome or challenge, and I had even proposed a solution at the time. Now, seeing how things have unfolded, it's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is. Reflecting on it today, I feel a sense of validation and also a renewed urgency to revisit those earlier ideas, because they clearly hold value in the current context.
In fact, Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen, in their 2013 book "The New Digital Age," had already articulated what I also observed: that while individuals retain some discretion over what they share, it becomes impossible to control what others capture and share. This sentiment echoes loudly as our foundational identification systems become more digitally entwined.
The Infosys CTO's observation that almost every business deal today has some form of AI embedded [http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2025/05/ai-embedded-infosys.html] further highlights the seamless integration of advanced algorithms into our systems. It's not a leap to imagine AI playing an unseen but significant role in the security, verification, and efficiency of PAN 2.0. This interconnectedness, while beneficial, demands a constant vigilance over how our data is handled.
As Nandan Nilekani’s work with Aadhaar demonstrated, national digital identity systems are monumental undertakings with far-reaching implications. The evolution of PAN into its 2.0 avatar signifies a deeper integration of our identity into the digital realm, making the dialogue around data governance, individual control, and the societal good more critical than ever.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
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