India needs a security and privacy law: Nandan Nilekani, former chairman, UIDAI
By Kunal Talgeri, ET Bureau | Updated: Apr 29, 2017, 10.31 AM IST
Demonetisation has reduced the time for digital migration from years to months, according to former UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani, who believes India needs an advanced data protection, security and privacy law to deal with the data deluge. The legislation is vital to also create digital literacy, so that citizens are aware of what digitisation means, Nilekani, 61, told ET in an interview on Thursday.
The Goods and Services Tax, due to come into force on July 1, has already seen more than five million businesses register on its platform—GST network. This will generate around 2 billion electronic invoices every month. The demonetisation move in November 2016 and the BHIM app have similarly pushed people to transact online.
"India has a unique opportunity to draft a very modern data protection and privacy Bill which can be superior to what is happening elsewhere in the world," he said
Are you happy having an outside advisory position in governance? Or will there be a second calling from politics?
I am very happy where I am and with what I am doing today as an independent private citizen. Most of my work is in non-profit, so I do philanthropy. I give inputs on some public policy issues. I am very keen and passionate about technology for transformation, and available to anyone...
So there won't be a temptation to return to politics?
No.
Given this position, has the political will driving Digital India surprised you, especially demonetisation?
The last few months have certainly seen an acceleration of pace, if for different reasons. One clear reason was demonetisation. I think the realisation that the long-term solution is to make India a less-cash and a more digital transaction economy, is driving this. Def ..
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