Esri India MD Urges Clearer Data Protection Law and Stronger Data Sovereignty Measures
India needs a stronger and clearer framework to protect its data. This is crucial due to national security threats. There are also challenges in enforcing the current draft of the data protection bill. Agendra Kumar, Managing Director of Esri India, shared this view.
At a recent data policy roundtable hosted by think tank CKS, Kumar shared his views. He said the proposed data protection law lacks clarity for private companies. The draft is currently open for public input.
“If the bill becomes law in its current form, it will be difficult to put into practice,” he said.
He expressed concern that unclear terms in the bill could make it hard for businesses, especially those dealing with sensitive information, to comply.
Need for Data Control Within India
Kumar also spoke about the growing importance of data in today’s world, especially with its role in national security and global competition. Drawing from past experiences, he said that if India had fully relied on foreign technologies in the 1990s, it might not have made the progress it has today.
Now, as India moves closer to becoming one of the top three global economies, Kumar believes that countries will compete more than collaborate. In this context, the nation must protect and control data as a strategic asset within its borders.
“Accurate and timely data is essential in modern defence systems,” Kumar said. “You need to have it and manage it within the country.”
He warned against the silent outflow of personal data through everyday apps and websites. “Each time you watch something on YouTube or use certain websites or chatbots, these platforms share your data,” he explained. Because of such risks, Kumar avoids using some AI tools himself.
Balancing Technology and Security
Kumar noted that while mobile devices have brought convenience, they’ve also multiplied security risks. India, he said, must find the right balance—welcoming technology without losing control over its data.
Kumar pointed out that the current bill lacks clear rules about how long data should be stored. “Every type of data should have a specific time frame for storage,” he said. Keeping unnecessary data not only makes it harder to manage but also increases the chances of cyberattacks.
He emphasized that India must also protect key sectors like finance, power, and telecom, not just focus on defence. For this, he called for proper systems, technologies, and skilled professionals to quickly respond to threats.
A Call for a Unified Policy
As India continues to grow in innovation and digital capabilities, Kumar urged the government to establish a well-rounded data sovereignty policy. This policy, he said, should balance national security, personal privacy, and economic growth—without slowing down innovation.