Opinion | Harness data

The importance of data cannot be overstated in our day and age when the online presence of our citizens is growing exponentially. Data can be of immense use, not only for private enterprises in better understanding their customers, but also to policymakers in better targeting public policies. Its use in India, however, has been somewhat curtailed amid a heated debate over the privacy risks it poses. The way forward isn’t in keeping completely off data, but in laying down the rules of its use. To that end, the Economic Survey’s discussion on the importance of data and the need to treat it as a “public good” is interesting.

The Survey notes that private entities have been at the forefront of its use. Public policy framers, however, have lagged behind. This presents an opportunity.