Safety Net: Editorial on the need of data protection laws to counter cybercrime

The new global currency of the digital era is data. Yet, enhanced reliance on data can expose economies, institutions and individuals to significant risks. Given India’s failure to usher in a comprehensive legislation on data protection, newer methods merit examination. For instance, the Calcutta Police recently organised its first ‘Hackathon’ — a collaborative computer programming event — to select experts who can assist law-enforcement officials in solving cyber crimes. This is a welcome intervention. India ranks among the top five countries most affected by cyberattacks. According to a recent report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India, its digital population is set to grow to around 900 million by 2025; incidentally, rural India is expected to lead the charge in internet penetration in the coming years. This will bring attendant challenges. Widespread digitisation will increase the likelihood of cyberattacks on individuals, financial and strategic institutions and industries; lack of digital literacy would render a significant segment of the population vulnerable to data theft, ransomware attacks, electronic transfer frauds, phishing and other kinds of cyber threats. The advancement in technology has led malicious actors to find newer — more sophisticated — breaches to exploit.