Wednesday, 2 August 2023

Curbing use of Smartphone ?

Context :

Chinese youth to have smartphone, internet use curbed … ET / 03 Aug 2023

Extract :

Chinese children and teens will be cut off from accessing the internet at night and have their smartphone use curbed under new rules unveiled Wednesday aimed at fighting internet addiction.

Under the restrictions, set to come into force on September 2 following a public consultation, anyone under the age of 18 will be cut off from accessing the internet with a mobile device between 10 pm and 6 am.

A tiered system for managing smartphone usage time will also be imposed, spanning a maximum of 40 minutes a day for those under the age of eight to two hours for 16- and 17-year-olds. The new rules are some of the most stringent in the world.

Parents will be able to bypass them if they wish, however.

The CAC said the rules would "improve the positive role of the internet, create a favourable network environment, prevent and intervene in minors' internet addiction problems, and guide minors to form good internet use habits".

First some facts about Indian teens :

“ Can you tell me the number of hours that India's teens spend on internet from their Smart-phones ? “

BARD gave following data >

Sure. According to a report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), Indian teens spend an average of 5 hours per day on the internet from their smartphones.

This number has been steadily increasing in recent years, and is now higher than the global average of 4 hours per day.

The report also found that the most popular activities for Indian teens on the internet are social media, watching videos, and playing games.

Social media is by far the most popular activity, with 80% of Indian teens using it on a daily basis.

The report's findings suggest that smartphone usage is having a significant impact on the lives of Indian teens. It is important for parents and educators to be aware of this trend, and to help teens develop healthy habits around smartphone use.

Here are some of the potential negative effects of excessive smartphone use in teens:

· Sleep deprivation:

· Studies have shown that teens who use their smartphones in bed are more likely to experience sleep problems.

· Depression and anxiety:

· Excessive smartphone use can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression.

· Addiction:

· Smartphone addiction is a real problem, and it can have a serious impact on a teen's life.

If you are concerned about your teen's smartphone use, there are a few things you can do:

· Set limits on screen time:

· Establish clear rules about how much time your teen can spend on their smartphone each day.

· Encourage other activities:

· Encourage your teen to participate in activities that don't involve screens, such as sports, hobbies, or spending time with family and friends.

· Be a role model:

· Model healthy smartphone habits yourself. Show your teen how to use their smartphone in a way that doesn't interfere with their schoolwork, sleep, or relationships.

If you are concerned that your teen may be addicted to their smartphone, there are resources available to help. You can talk to your teen's doctor, or contact a mental health professional.

My Take :

Ø Excessive use of Smartphones is a bigger problem for India than for the rest of the World

Ø There is enough evidence that this is going to get worse

Ø I have a feeling ( no proof ) that Indian parents are proving to be POOR “ Role Models “ for their children. Probably, they spend 8 hours per day on their Smartphones

Ø I am afraid that , left without some fool-proof solution , this “ Smart Disease “ can debilitate our youth – much the same way as DRUGS

Ø I am sure , VOLUNTARY REGULATION is not going to work for the majority of parents and their children , though it may work for a tiny minority

Ø The news report ( about China ) does not say anything about the “ METHODS “ by which , the Chinese Authorities plan to “ RESTRICT “ the smartphone usage among teens. But then , Chinese Authorities do not need to worry about “ public outcry / opposition “ , nor do they consider themselves ACCOUNTABLE to public. I get a feeling that they have developed some technology which can :

# Differentiate between the users of Smartphones ( Teen or Adult ) –

may be through AI based Facial Recognition , to start phone

# Then remotely “ SWITCH OFF “ the phones of the TEENS , at

prescribed hours

It is a sad commentary on our Society ( anywhere / in any country ) where

DEMOCRATIC / EDUCATING methods , fail to solve SOCIETAL PROBLEMS

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.hemenparekh.ai / 03 Aug 2023

Tuesday, 1 August 2023

Meta falls in line : It was either Comply or Quit

Context :

Meta to Ask EU Users' Consent to Share Data for Targeted Ads … VOAnews / 01 Aug 2023

Extract :

Social media giant Meta on Tuesday said it intends to ask European Union-based users to give their consent before allowing targeted advertising on its networks including Facebook, bowing to pressure from European regulators.

It said the changes were to address "evolving and emerging regulatory requirements" amid a bruising tussle with the Irish Data Protection Commission that oversees EU data rules in Ireland, out of which Meta runs its European operations.

European regulators in January had dismissed the previous legal basis — "legitimate interest" — Meta had used to justify gathering users' personal data for targeted advertising.

Currently, users joining Facebook and Instagram by default have that permission turned on, feeding their data to Meta so it can generate billions of dollars from such ads.

"Today, we are announcing our intention to change the legal basis that we use to process certain data for behavioral advertising for people in the EU, EEA [European Economic Area] and Switzerland from 'Legitimate Interests' to 'Consent'," Meta said in a blog post.

Meta added it will share more information in the months ahead as it continues to "constructively engage" with regulators.

"There is no immediate impact to our services in the region. Once this change is in place, advertisers will still be able to run personalized advertising campaigns to reach potential customers and grow their businesses," it said.

Meta and other U.S. Big Tech companies have been hit by massive fines over their business practices in the EU in recent years and have been impacted by the need to comply with the bloc's strict data privacy regulations.

Further effects are expected from the EU's landmark Digital Markets Act, which bans anti-competitive behavior by the so-called " gatekeepers " of the internet.

My Take :

It is only a matter of a few months before EU forces META ( and its tribe – Google – Twitter etc ) to agree to :

Ø Move from vague “ Consent “ to “ Informed Consent “

Ø Move from “ Informed Consent “ to “ Specific Consent “

Ø Move from “ Specific Consent “ to “ Compensating Consent “

To know what I mean by “ Specific Consent “ and “ Compensating Consent “ , read :

Only Answer : a Statutory Warning ……………………………………………[ 10 Nov 2018 ]

SARAL ( Single Authentic Registration for Anywhere Login )….[ 10 Feb 2019 ]

Digital Dividend from Demographic Data [ 4 D ]………… …………….[ 14 Feb 2019 ]

Privacy for Sale ………………………………………………………………………….[ 26 Aug 2017]

If DEPA = Foundation , then SARAL = Superstructure ………………[ 08 May 2022 ]

And when this inevitable “ Migration to Monetization “ of users’ Personal Data happens, each and every user of Social Media in EU , will earn Euro 1,000 PER MONTH , from social media by way of COMPENSATION for selling their data for TARGETED ADVERTISEMENTS

What makes me believe that this will happen ?

# My firm conviction that the Social Media companies must share a portion of

their billions of dollars ( which they are earning by SELLING personal data of

their Users to Advertising Companies ) with the users

# Finland has already taken the first step in implementing what I have been

pleading with our Cabinet Ministers for past 5 YEARS , through some 111

emails !

If in doubt, read this :

Ø Finland adopts “ SARAL “ ? ……………. 31 May 2023

It makes me frustrated that the Software Superpower ( - and the 5^th largest

economy of the World ) India could not ( or , would not ? ) implement what

tiny Finland could do

And it makes me sad that , IT Minister Shri Vaishnawji will , tomorrow , introduce

in Lok Sabha :

IT Minister to present Digital Personal Data Protection Bill tomorrow … Ind Express / 02 Aug 2023

Extract :

Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw will introduce Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill in Lok Sabha on Thursday, according to an official notification by Parliament.

The Parliamentary panel on IT has recommended that the DPDP Bill’s enactment be expedited, “without any undue delay”, as it relied on submissions made by officials of the IT Ministry, without the Bill being formally referred to it.

“Ashwini Vaishnaw to move for leave to introduce a Bill to provide for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognises both the right of individuals to protect their personal data and the need to process such data for lawful purposes and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Also to introduce the Bill,” said the list of business uploaded by the Lok Sabha.

Dear Vaishnawji ,

It is a pity that the bill being presented by you tomorrow will :

Ø Only protect those “ PERSONAL DATA THIEVES “ , who mint billions by SELLING user data

Ø Will do nothing to to protect “ PERSONAL DATA OWNERS “

Do you really believe that :

# A User will ever come to know that her Personal Data ( even if aggregated and

anonymised ), got SOLD by Google – Facebook – Twitter – Amazon etc to

advertisers - Which ? When ? Where ? For What price ?

# In the “ nearly impossible event “ of this user coming to know of such SALE of

her data, she would have the money ( $ 10 million ) and time (10 years )

to fight her case ( in which court ? International Court of Justice ? )

Dear Shri Vaishnawji ,

I realize that , at this late stage , you cannot make any changes in the draft of

DPDP bill

But surely, you must have heard that, nearly 81 years ago, on 9^th Aug 1942,

Mahatmaji told the British from Gowalia Tank in Mumbai :

QUIT INDIA

And, unlike EU , Bapu did not even have any LAW to support his call !

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.hemenparekh.ai / 02 Aug 2023

Monday, 31 July 2023

A small beginning for a Big Dream

Context :

Ø India to discuss grid linking with Singapore to trade in green power .. 31 July 2023

Extract :

India and Singapore are accelerating their plans to establish a power grid through an underwater cable passing via the Andaman & Nicobar region. This ambitious project will empower India to export its renewable energy to Singapore. The agreement is anticipated to be signed in the near future.

The cost of renewable energy exported to Singapore through this agreement is expected to be lower than their gas-based electricity.

Additionally, Singapore has a commitment to meet its nationally determined contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. Acquiring renewable energy from India will play a crucial role in accomplishing this target. Both nations engaged in talks regarding this matter during the G20 Energy Ministerial and Clean Energy Ministerial meetings held earlier this month.

Singapore expresses a strong interest in the plan. The Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd., a state-owned entity, is currently conducting detailed technical studies on the project.

Previously, Singapore acknowledged the limitations posed by land scarcity and intermittent solar power for expanding renewable energy within the country. They are actively exploring various alternatives, including the possibility of regional power grids like the one proposed with India.

Due to its geographical isolation, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands face distinctive difficulties concerning their power supply. The total generation capacity of the union territory across various islands is approximately 109.45 MW. Out of this capacity, nearly 91% relies on diesel-based generation, while the remaining is sourced from hydro and solar power.

From Economic Times ( Print edition / 31 July 2023 ) :

India has also been in talks with Saudi Arabia and UAE to connect with their power grids to trade renewable energy.

This proposal has been in the works along with Oman, where India could look to make a stop, before taking the connectivity further to the UAE and Saudi Arabia

India has been putting weight on GLOBAL GRID CONNECTIVITY in the G 20 as well

“ Trans-national Grid Connections can enhance energy security “ , Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in a virtual address during the G-20 Energy Minister’s meeting

“ It will enable all of us to meet our Climate Goals, stimulate green investment and create millions of green jobs “ , he said, urging countries to join the green grids initiative “ One Sun, One World, One Grid “, of International Solar Alliance

India achieved its non-fossil fuel targets nine years ahead: PM Modi .. Business Line / 28 July 2023

Extract :

India has achieved its installed electric capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, nine years ahead of the target of 2030. The country has set the bar even higher through updated targets, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Today, India is one of the top 5 countries in the world, in terms of installed renewable energy capacity, he said in his virtual address at the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Minister’s Meeting being held in Chennai. “We have also set a target of attaining Net Zero by 2070,” he added.

MY TAKE :

Ø Power Play : Day or Night .. 28 April 2023

Extract :

Dear Shri R K Singhji,

Congratulations on this initiative. Hopefully this interlinking could :

Ø Help our own grid to get additional power during our “ peak demand “ periods

Ø Get power from Saudi Arabia / UAE at very cheap rates , since their cost of generation is very low due to abundant / cheap / local, oil and gas wells

Ø Help us avoid running our 50+ very old, coal-based power plants which are operating at PLF of less than 50

Ø We can avoid Rs Lakhs of crore of investment in numerous new coal-based plants ( - which projects are finding few takers and no bankers )

Ø We can buy power from SA / UAE during day-times ( periods ) when they offer it at the cheapest rates and store it in GRID-SIZE STORAGE Batteries , for use at night

Ø Help us save crores of rupees worth foreign exchange budgeted for import of coal

Ø By avoiding to produce power which uses fossil fuels, we can reduce local warming / air pollution

Ø SA / UAE have managed to set up SOLAR POWER projects which are selling power at Re 1 / Kwh !

Ø By supplying power to DISCOMS at Re 1.5 / Kwh , their accumulated losses could be wiped out

In this context, I am glad that the Ministry has taken cognizance of my suggestions sent through following 12 E-Mails :

2016 ( 1 ) :