A majority of urban millennials want a role in how their data is shared and used by the government and social network providers, according to a new survey from the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). They also favor the right to be forgotten through a required erasure. Furthermore, India’s youth favor data localization and believe that international companies should store and process data in Indian data centers.
According to ORF, they feel the government should foster homegrown technology and businesses. Coming to the Swiping Right on Tech Policy, states that ORF’s inaugural technology policy poll which is an Assessment of Young India’s Aspirations, scrutinizes the Indian youth’s knowledge of the role of technology in their lives.
ORF added: “By 2025, the number of internet users in India is expected to reach 900 million. The majority of internet users in India, at present, are between the ages of 20 and 29. How they engage with technology will be key in shaping domestic policy discussions.”
About the Main Objectives
The report, which was based on a poll of urban youth, had three goals: to measure young India’s understanding of technology policy issues, identify their worries, and evaluate their thoughts on future policy possibilities in this arena, according to the report.
The report also claims that the youth of India are concerned about their privacy. 88 percent feel individuals should have control over how their data is exchanged and used by the government and social media companies.
Nearly 80% of them favor the right to be forgotten, which calls for the mandatory deletion of personal data acquired by private companies upon a user’s request. They also demand data localization, with 70% believing that international companies should store and process data in India’s data centers. They believe that the government should support homegrown technology and businesses.
More than 80% of Indians support policies that help and protect the country’s technology industry. While the youth are concerned about their privacy, they expressed high support for sharing personal data to help government programs and public welfare mechanisms such as delivering rations or cash to the needy, minimizing traffic accidents, and sustaining a healthy healthcare facility.
ORF said: “The study found India’s youth to be highly responsive towards government policies that could make the domestic technology industry more competitive and promote manufacturing capabilities within the country. Over 80 percent of the youth surveyed supported the proposal of technology protectionist measures.”
Survey Response on Infrastructure
More than 85% of survey participants support government investments in mobile towers, uninterruptible supply of vital mineral resources, indigenous computer or mobile chip innovation, open data regimes to enable AI innovation, and indigenous social media site choices or secure messaging platforms.
Young India believes that the government should address the need for data literacy and cyber hygiene initiatives by including more stakeholders and paying special attention to women, unemployed youth, and other neglected groups.
India must also maintain bilateral and multilateral relationships to help offset the hazards posed by higher-tech advances like artificial intelligence (AI). These partnerships must also establish safeguards against foreign meddling in domestic elections, as well as effective advertising against essential urban facilities.
The statement added: “The report found today’s Indian youth to be largely positive towards tech and assertive in their digital boundaries. Their proactivity towards safeguarding values of individual privacy is bolstered by the understanding and willingness to support national interests and security, share their data if required to aid economic well-being and public governance.”
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