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TRAI releases recommendations for privacy & protection of consumer data
MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has come out with its recommendations on ‘Privacy, security and ownership of data in the telecom sector’.
It says that since digital ecosystems that collect user data are just custodians and don’t have privacy rights over it, TRAI recommends that a study should be undertaken to formulate the standards for annonymisation/ de-identification of personal data generated and collected in the digital ecosystem.
All entities in the digital ecosystem, which control or process the data, should be restrained from using meta-data to identify individual users. The existing framework for protection of the personal information/ data of telecom consumers is not sufficient. Therefore, to protect telecom consumers against the misuse of their personal data by the broad range of data controllers and processors in the digital ecosystem, all entities in the digital ecosystem, which control or process their personal data should be brought under a data protection framework.
Till a government notified law is passed, the existing rules/ licence conditions applicable to TSPs for protection of users’ privacy should be made applicable to all the entities in the digital ecosystem.
Consumers should be given the right to choice, notice, consent, data portability, and right to be forgotten. The right to data portability and right to be forgotten being restricted rights should be subjected to applicable restrictions.
Multilingual, easy to understand, unbiased, short templates of agreements/ terms and conditions should be made mandatory for all the entities in the digital eco-system for the benefit of consumers. Consumer awareness programs be undertaken to spread awareness about data protection and privacy issues so that the users can take well informed decisions about their personal data.
Data controllers should be prohibited from using ‘pre-ticked boxes’ to gain users’ consent. Clauses for data collection and purpose limitation should be incorporated in the agreements. Devices should disclose the terms and conditions of use in advance, before sale of the device. It should be made mandatory for the devices to incorporate provisions so that user can delete pre-installed applications if he/she so decides. Also, the user should be able to download the certified applications at his own will and the devices should in no manner restrict such actions by the users.
To ensure the privacy of users, National Policy for encryption of personal data, generated and collected in the digital ecosystem, should be notified by the government at the earliest. For ensuring the security of the personal data and privacy of telecommunication consumers, personal data of telecommunication consumers should be encrypted during the motion as well as during the storage in the digital ecosystem. Decryption should be permitted on a need basis by authorised entities in accordance to consent of the consumer or as per requirement of the law.
A common platform should be created for sharing of information relating to data security breach incidences by all entities in the digital ecosystem including telecom service providers. It should be made mandatory for all entities in the digital ecosystem including all such service providers to be a part of this platform. Data security breaches may take place in-spite of adoption of best practices/ necessary measures taken by the data controllers and processors. Sharing of information concerning to data security breaches should be encouraged and incentivised to prevent/ mitigate such occurrences in future.
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Steven Davis joins Sony Pictures Networks India as Content Licensing Manager
Seasoned media professional brings over 14 years of syndication and distribution expertise.
MUMBAI: Steven Davis has found a new reel home and this time, it’s at one of India’s biggest entertainment powerhouses. Steven Davis has joined Sony Pictures Networks India as manager of content licensing, marking a significant new chapter in his career within the media and entertainment industry. With more than 14 years of rich experience in content licensing, syndication, distribution, and sales, Davis brings deep operational knowledge and a proven track record of driving revenue through strategic content partnerships.
Prior to this move, he served as senior manager for content licensing & syndication at Rajshri Entertainment for over five years (November 2020 – March 2026), where he orchestrated the full cycle of content licensing and distribution. He has also held leadership roles at Veon Events, Bizzy Baby Media, Yoboho New Media, Vuclip, Saregama India, and Hungama.
In his new role at Sony Pictures Networks India, Davis will contribute to expanding the company’s diverse content portfolio and strengthening its reach across global markets.
The appointment adds valuable expertise to Sony Pictures Networks India’s content licensing team as the company continues to grow its presence in an increasingly competitive entertainment landscape.
From managing syndication at Rajshri to now licensing content at Sony, Steven Davis clearly knows how to keep the stories flowing. His move signals yet another seasoned hand joining the ranks to help some of India’s biggest shows and films find new audiences worldwide.
