BEING WATCHED!
   Date :12-Nov-2019

 
AFTER the disturbing discovery of an Israel-based company’s spyware snooping on private WhatsApp conversations of 1,400 select users globally there have been frantic efforts to opt for secure chat apps to maintain privacy. The Pegasus spyware, a product of Israel’s NSO group, has stirred the Hornet’s Nest by accessing private chats of select industrialists, leaders, journalists and rights activists which is perceived to be used against them by enforcement agencies. The Government of India has sought clarification from WhatsApp on the breach but the larger worry is the ease with which hackers can take control of the operating systems of our mobile phones. WhatsApp was supposed to be the most secure chat platform with its end-to-end encryption system. However, the stark truth is, there always will be loopholes for non-state actors, cryptographers and individual hackers to break even the latest security layer and get access to the metadata. The dangers of the digital world are slowly unravelling. It is for the individuals to decide the amount of dependence.
 
DRIVER OF CHANGE
 
SPEAKER of the Lok Sabha Mr. Om Birla has very rightly said that technology is the driver of change and the young generation has the responsibility to be in the driving seat. There is no denying that modern age is technology-driven and the nation which excels in innovations, discoveries and research and development has the advantage of assuming dominant position in global affairs. United States of America, the developed Western countries and now China assume dominant position in world affairs because of their perpetual quest for technological excellence. That also ensures them economic power. With India aspiring to join their ranks, it has become imperative to lay stress on indigenous technological development. Borrowed technology would not suffice to achieve the achievable goal. The onus rests with the country’s young generation. There is no dearth of talent but the nation is falling short of harnessing it. The responsibility for creating proper infrastructure and atmosphere for nurturing it lies with the Government.