Comments on: Why are tech giants falling all over themselves wooing the UID babe?

By: Vikrant

Vikrant — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:28:28 +0000

I have no doubts about the usefulness and importance of the UID project even though I have my reservations on the successful implementation of the same. With due respect to Nandan, its a mammoth task.

The IT companies realize the potential of this data. Western countries have build system around this data for the last 30-40 years. In this IT age we might do it in a much smaller span.

I would say this is the single most important project that will determine India’s position in the 21st century.

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By: Sandy

Sandy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:57:46 +0000

Even for Indian companies I would suggest that the guidelines you, so rightly point out, stay in place. And ya, we have enough home-grown talent to do this project.
From another very simple Indian.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:55:33 +0000

Why wait for 10-20 years down the line; let the ball start rolling from today! Let this first big Indian govt IT projcet be given to a homegrown IT company, just like US govt projects, as you rightly point out, are given to Us companies based on ’sentiments’!

By: chandan

chandan — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:36:13 +0000

these companies are like our politicians can’t be trusted period.

By: Madhav Shivpuri

Madhav Shivpuri — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:16:54 +0000

Like certain compliance regulations in Korea would it make a difference if Yahoo or Google hosted the servers with UID data in India, created an Indian corporate entity, hired Indian management/ staff etc. and abided by Indian Govt. specific rules? If that is what we are worried about, then that’s what we should talk about.

The rules could also explicitly mention that neither the data nor the meta-data (trends, analysis, statistics, behaviour etc.) of the UID database can be used for the IT vendor’s purpose nor for anybody else. After that point, use intelligent process to encrypt the data, restrict access to limited people for sensitive data through user-id/password protection, management authentication etc.

As a very simple Indian, I do not see any reason why Yahoo or Google should be entertained for this project. If they really want to repay the country, they can set up internet cafe’s or fund entrepreneurs or sponsor building roads :-)

By: dhruva

dhruva — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:17:50 +0000

lol :) … this is like anti outsourcing sentiment – but in reverse!!

It is like Indians shying away to outsource their IT to a “remote company”
( remember how US gov projects have “sentiments” and “security concerns” attached to it … and hence they shy away to offshore those projects to India .. and typically to to likes of IBMs and Accentures)

I think this is also a trend which will pick up soon in 10-20 years, when there are more IT projects in India, and just because of sentiments, “security concerns” – indian companies will get advantage. the same way US companies get those today.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:30:56 +0000

Yes VJ, both pre and post vigilance is required- in both selection of the companies involved and than an ongoing tapping of what access they are having to it and whether or not that data is being used in an unauthorized manner. Best does not always get selected; sometime practical factors (for eg. cost and economics) also have to be considered:-)

By: Sandy

Sandy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:26:56 +0000

Sridhar,
The concerns are not just about national security or more availability of data; it is unauthorized use of data to profit from it in an advantaged way from other players because they have an underlying philosophy that the more the data, the better and the merrier(better for them…couched in terms of ‘better for the end users’) .

Private and personal data, especially government data that would be collated by using UID, should remain secure and I believe is more sensitive than your email data. No doubts, even national security (a political factor) should be taken into account and not just technical or economic factors while making the decision.

By: Sridhar

Sridhar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:19:50 +0000

It is indeed a pure business-wise decision,direct or indirect inspite of the claims.
Security concerns are valid. But remember the same companies already scan your entire mail box which has more personal info than the UID number. So if they use that data for ‘finetuned’ ads, it might not be too much of an interference than it is now.
If the project is allocated purely on the basis of merit (tech), the causes for you
r concern would be redundant.

By: VJ

VJ — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:11:23 +0000

Your paranoia is justified sandy.!:P
But at the same time, giving the projects to inexperienced Indian companies would result out in much worser effects in terms of maintenance and security.
So the Govt should give it to the best guy and keep a trap that the information is held secure.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:28:44 +0000

Thanks Prateek!

I’m glad you are thinking along same lines and are wondering about the same issue. As they say great minds think alike:-)

By: Prats

Prats — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:22:07 +0000

Brilliant post…
I was actually wondering with the same question… This post provides some relevant directions to the thought.