View: Banning apps a band-aid solution, need a functionally robust Data Protection Authority

Ministry of electronics and IT (MeitY)’s June 29 decision to block access to 59 Chinese mobile apps – by invoking the exception clause relating to sovereignty under Section 69 of the IT Act – has been welcomed by most. But it is at best an ad hoc measure. Amongst other concerns, the MeitY order specifically refers to the mining, profiling and unauthorised use of personal data. These issues are a continuing cause of concern for any application or data system and need to be addressed systemically and dynamically.

Ad hoc measures act at best as a temporary Band-Aid, but may result in disproportionate responses instead of well-planned alternatives backed by law and a well-defined strategy. The instant ban is yet another call for having a functionally robust Data Protection Authority (DPA).