‘Need indigenous apps to tackle data colonisation’

‘Need indigenous apps to tackle data colonisation’

PUNE: In July this year, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) issued an alert about ‘Silex’ malware on the prowl involved in attacking Internet of Things (IoT) devices and taking control of them. Another alert issued by CERT stated the probable damage ‘Agent Smith’ malware can cause, including that of stealing banking credentials of Android phone users. 

With the rise in the number of malware trying to steal data, the cyber experts have pointed that there is a need to make people aware about the ways in which their data is being collected either knowingly or unknowingly. Also, many Indians are consumers of software and hardware owned by foreign corporations, cybersecurity experts have pointed out the need for indigenous applications to prevent data colonisation.

Sharing his views on the issue, cybersecurity expert Harold D’costa said, “We should have started work on indigenous applications ten years back. Although it is not too late now, it will take about two to three years for such applications to be developed to the scale of companies holding massive data of the Indians.”

Another cyber expert, Niranjan Reddy, who is also the founder of Netconclave Systems, said that the number of Indian mobile applications on an app store is far less than the applications of the other countries.  “Also, there is a need for the agency to check for foreign hardware devices. We are using television, mobile phones, computers and many other products, which are manufactured out of India that can be a threat for us in near future, as we never know if these applications are used to collect our data. India should start manufacturing its own applications, which we all know is a complicated task, but not impossible,” added Reddy.

Commenting on the need of indigenous applications for data protection, Ajay Data, Founder and CEO of Data Xgen Technologies, which has its email service ‘Datamail’, said, “Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at Davos that data is a real wealth and it is being said that whoever acquires and controls the data will have hegemony in the future. The global flow of data is creating big opportunities as well as challenges. So addressing concerns over data privacy and data protection is the need of the hour. Unlike the other forms of colonisation, where the primary purpose was economical, at its worst, data colonisation can lead to the enslavement of mind, body and soul of the affected persons. Loss of identity, loss of privacy and an increase in cybercrimes are few issues, which can arise due to data colonisation. Hence, it is extremely important to have access and control over your data.”

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