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Cyber Fraud, Privacy & Public Ignorance
Sucheta Dalal 21 July 2015

User awareness lagging far behind technology and scamsters

 

At a time when the Modi sarkar is pushing hard for ‘Digital India’ programmes, the feedback received from Moneylife Foundation’s 13th July seminar on cyber fraud and privacy concerns is rather telling. The packed audience, of 200+, comprised a rather privileged, English-speaking group, with some interest in financial matters. And, yet, except a tiny segment which had some understanding of cyber crime and confidence tricks used by fraudsters, the vast majority had little knowledge beyond the very basics. For example, Dr Rakesh Goyal (director, Centre for Research & Prevention of Cyber Crimes) opened everyone’s eyes to the extent of data mined by email service-providers and search engines and its commercial value to marketers for targeted sales. And how the plethora of apps that promise to make your life simpler, with easy access to everything from taxi cabs to pizza delivery, actually get all information from your phone, including your social media posts, friends and relationships. 
 
Most people are clueless about privacy settings and their use. But Dr Goyal says that many apps actually steal data without even bothering to obtain such permissions. He says that some, like Google and WhatsApp, which are widely used by all, declare that they can use your phone services that may cost you money. 
 
Nandkumar Saravade, chief executive at Data Security Council of India (DSCI), who has formidable experience in cyber-crime investigations when he was in the police service, said that several bold directives by the Reserve Bank of India now protect less-savvy consumers. These include a two-stage authentication of card transaction or the directive that all cards should be issued for domestic use and international cards must be issued only on specific requests. Worryingly, he also pointed out how there is inadequate capacity and funding for law enforcement in cyber crime.  
 
Written feedback from the attendees indicates low awareness about privacy issues. This is also evident in how most Indians have welcomed the biometrics-based Unique Identification Numbers (UIN), in sharp contrast to people in most developing countries. Our interactions through articles and social media show that most people compared Aadhar to the US social security number, but are unaware that the latter does not carry biometrics; or that Indian data is going to reside in servers abroad. In contrast, an online poll of 20,000 US adults by Forrester Research showed that 63% of American smartphone users are concerned about privacy and security. 
 
This gung-ho attitude to the benefits of technology, without worrying about its downside, can only come at a price, especially when grievance redress in India is invariably pathetic. Most Indians are in for a first-hand learning experience about cyber fraud, identify theft and poor redress systems as is evident from the daily reports of senior government officials, actors, professionals and senior citizens who become victims, or youngsters who are lured through social media and sexually exploited or blackmailed.
Comments
Mahesh S Bhatt
1 decade ago
Latest hack last week is of Ashley Madison's unethical website where it promoted extramarital contacts & data with credit card info.

Consumers have triple wammy one State survelliance by USA/Government agencies/Service provider companies like Google & Telecom operators/lastly active hackers who break the system.

Sad thing unaware naive user /corrupt service provider o for business & marketing trading inf& real thieves hackers.

Reply
Pravesh Pandya
1 decade ago
Part of the reason for unawareness about privacy is consumer electronics / large scale consumer software like Gmail, WhatsApp etc.

Few decades ago, technology was only within the reach of few and those who had access to it knew the intricacies involved. Very few people used email and those who did protected it well.

With the advent of consumer electronic companies like Apple, Microsoft, BlackBerry and consumer software like search engine, chat applications etc, privacy has taken back seat and user convenience has been given priority. Most of the people using these are unaware of encryption, data mining, digital signature etc
Reply
R S Murthy
Replied to Pravesh Pandya comment 1 decade ago
Technology is the same. One uses for social welfare anther for its destability. Whether this technology be made availabale to all equally irrespective his caste creed or religion be decided by the so called intelectuals or the leaders leading us from the front.
Reply
R S Murthy
1 decade ago
On earth nothing is risk free. The so called technology or development is having its own drawbacks. One has to be careful not to be greedy and minimise loss if not possible to eliminate. Human brain is sharp on both sides like to faces of a coin. NIRBHAYA did not bring down crimes on women, Motor vehickles increased accidental deaths. This number is said to be more than the people killed by terrorists
Reply
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