#Fact Check – Analysis of Viral Claims Regarding India's UNSC Permanent Membership

Introduction

THE DIGITAL PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION BILL, 2022 Released for Public Consultation on November 18, 2022THE DIGITAL PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION BILL, 2023Tabled at LokSabha on August 03. 2023Personal data may be processed only for a lawful purpose for which an individual has given consent.  Consent may be deemed in certain cases.The 2023 bill imposes reasonable obligations on data fiduciaries and data processors to safeguard digital personal data.There is a Data Protection Board under the 2022 bill to deal with the non-compliance of the Act.Under the 2023 bill, there is the Establishment of a new Data Protection Board which will ensure compliance, remedies and penalties.

Under the new bill, the Board has been entrusted with the power of a civil court, such as the power to take cognisance in response to personal data breaches, investigate complaints,  imposing penalties. Additionally, the Board can issue directions to ensure compliance with the act.The 2022 Bill grants certain rights to individuals, such as the right to obtain information, seek correction and erasure, and grievance redressal.The 2023 bill also grants More Rights to Individuals and establishes a balance between user protection and growing innovations. The bill creates a transparent and accountable data governance framework by giving more rights to individuals. In the 2023 bill, there is an Incorporation of Business-friendly provisions by removing criminal penalties for non-compliance and facilitating international data transfers.  

‍The new 2023 bill balances out fundamental privacy rights and puts reasonable limitations on those rights.Under the 2022 bill, Personal data can be processed for a lawful purpose for which an individual has given his consent.  And there was a concept of deemed consent.The new data protection board will carefully examine the instance of non-compliance by imposing penalties on non-compiler.The bill does not provide any express clarity in regards to compensation to be granted to the Data Principal in case of a Data Breach.Under 2023 Deemed consent is there in its new form as ‘Legitimate Users’.The 2022 bill allowed the transfer of personal data to locations notified by the government.There is an introduction of the negative list, which restricts cross-data transfer.

Introduction 

Governments worldwide are enacting cybersecurity laws to enhance resilience and secure cyberspace against growing threats like data breaches, cyber espionage,  and state-sponsored attacks in the digital landscape. As a response, the EU Council has been working on adopting new laws and regulations under its EU Cybersecurity Package- a framework to enhance cybersecurity capacities across the EU to protect critical infrastructure, businesses, and citizens. Recently, the Cyber Solidarity Act was adopted by the Council, which aims to improve coordination among EU member states for increased cyber resilience. Since regulations in the EU play a significant role in shaping the global regulatory environment, it is important to keep an eye on such developments.

Overview of the Cyber Solidarity Act 

The Act sets up a European Cyber Security Alert System consisting of Cross-Border Cyber Hubs across Europe to collect intelligence and act on cyber threats by leveraging emerging technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced data analytics to share warnings on cyber threats with other cyber data centres across the national borders of the EU. This is expected to assist authorities in responding to cyber threats and incidents more quickly and effectively. 

Further, it provides for the creation of a new Cybersecurity Emergency Mechanism to enhance incident response systems in the EU.  This will include testing the vulnerabilities in critical sectors like transport, energy, healthcare, finance, etc., and creating a reserve of private parties to provide mutual technical assistance for incident response requests from EU member-states or associated third countries of the Digital Europe Programme in case of a large-scale incident.  

Finally, it also provides for the establishment of a European Cybersecurity Incident Review Mechanism to monitor the impact of the measures under this law. 

Key Themes

1. Greater Integration: The success of this Act depends on the quality of cooperation and interoperability between various governmental stakeholders across defence, diplomacy, etc. with regard to data formats, taxonomy, data handling and data analytics tools. For example, Cross-Border Cyber Hubs are mandated to take the interoperability guidelines set by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) as a starting point for information-sharing principles with each other.  
2. Public-Private Collaboration: The Act provides a framework to govern relationships between stakeholders such as the public sector, the private sector, academia, civil society and the media, identifying that public-private collaboration is crucial for strengthing EUs cyber resilience. In this regard, National Cyber Hubs are proposed to carry out the strengthening of information sharing between public and private entities.  
3. Centralized Regulation: The Act aims to strengthen all of the EU's cyber solidarity by outlining dedicated infrastructure for improved coordination and intelligence-sharing regarding cyber events among member states. Equal matching contribution for procuring the tools, infrastructure and services is to be made by each selected member state and the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre, a body tasked with funding cybersecurity projects in the EU. 
4. Setting a Global Standard: The underlying rationale behind strengthening cybersecurity in the EU is not just to protect EU citizens from cyber-threats to their fundamental rights but also to drive norms for world-class standards for cybersecurity for essential and critical services, an initiative several countries rely on.

Conclusion

In the current digital landscape, governments, businesses, critical sectors and people are increasingly interconnected through information and network connection systems and are using emerging technologies like AI, exposing them to multidimensional vulnerabilities in cyberspace. The EU in this regard continues to be a leader in setting standards for the safety of participants in the digital arena through regulations regarding cybersecurity. The Cyber Solidarity Act’s design including cross-border cooperation, public-private collaboration, and proactive incident-monitoring and response sets a precedent for a unified approach to cybersecurity. As the EU’s Cybersecurity Package continues to evolve, it will play a crucial role in ensuring a secure and resilient digital future for all. 

Sources

• https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/12/02/cybersecurity-package-council-adopts-new-laws-to-strengthen-cybersecurity-capacities-in-the-eu/ 
• https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/PE-94-2024-INIT/en/pdf 
• https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/cybersecurity-strategy 
• https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/10/cybersecurity-regulation-changes-nis2-eu-2024/

Introduction

Microsoft has unveiled its ambitious roadmap for developing a quantum supercomputer with AI features, acknowledging the transformative power of quantum computing in solving complex societal challenges. Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionise AI by enhancing its capabilities and enabling breakthroughs in different fields. Microsoft’s groundbreaking announcement of its plans to develop a quantum supercomputer, its potential applications, and the implications for the future of artificial intelligence (AI). However, there is a need for regulation in the realms of quantum computing and AI and significant policies and considerations associated with these transformative technologies. This technological advancement will help in the successful development and deployment of quantum computing, along with the potential benefits and challenges associated with its implementation.

What isQuantum computing?

Quantum computing is an emerging field of computer science and technology that utilises principles from quantum mechanics to perform complex calculations and solve certain types of problems more efficiently than classical computers. While classical computers store and process information using bits, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits.

‍Interconnected Future  

Quantum computing promises to significantly expand AI’s capabilities beyond its current limitations. Integrating these two technologies could lead to profound advancements in various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and cybersecurity. Quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) are two rapidly evolving fields that have the potential to revolutionise technology and reshape various industries. This section explores the interdependence of quantum computing and AI, highlighting how integrating these two technologies could lead to profound advancements across sectors such as healthcare, finance, and cybersecurity.

1. Enhancing AI Capabilities:

Quantum computing holds the promise of significantly expanding the capabilities of AI systems. Traditional computers, based on classical physics and binary logic, need help solving complex problems due to the exponential growth of computational requirements. Quantum computing, on the other hand, leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to perform computations on quantum bits or qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This inherent parallelism and superposition property of qubits could potentially accelerate AI algorithms and enable more efficient processing of vast amounts of data.

1. Solving Complex Problems:

The integration of quantum computing and AI has the potential to tackle complex problems that are currently beyond the reach of classical computing methods. Quantum machine learning algorithms, for example, could leverage quantum superposition and entanglement to analyse and classify large datasets more effectively. This could have significant applications in healthcare, where AI-powered quantum systems could aid in drug discovery, disease diagnosis, and personalised medicine by processing vast amounts of genomic and clinical data.

1. Advancements in Finance and Optimisation:

The financial sector can benefit significantly from integrating quantum computing and AI. Quantum algorithms can be employed to optimise portfolios, improve risk analysis models, and enhance trading strategies. By harnessing the power of quantum machine learning, financial institutions can make more accurate predictions and informed decisions, leading to increased efficiency and reduced risks.

1. Strengthening Cybersecurity:

Quantum computing can also play a pivotal role in bolstering cybersecurity defences. Quantum techniques can be employed to develop new cryptographic protocols that are resistant to quantum attacks. In conjunction with quantum computing, AI can further enhance cybersecurity by analysing massive amounts of network traffic and identifying potential vulnerabilities or anomalies in real time, enabling proactive threat mitigation.

1. Quantum-Inspired AI:

Beyond the direct integration of quantum computing and AI, quantum-inspired algorithms are also being explored. These algorithms, designed to run on classical computers, draw inspiration from quantum principles and can improve performance in specific AI tasks. Quantum-inspired optimisation algorithms, for instance, can help solve complex optimisation problems more efficiently, enabling better resource allocation, supply chain management, and scheduling in various industries.

How Quantum Computing and AI Should be Regulated-

As quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, questions arise regarding the need for regulations to govern these technologies. There is debate surrounding the regulation of quantum computing and AI, considering the potential risks, ethical implications, and the balance between innovation and societal protection.

1. Assessing Potential Risks: Quantum computing and AI bring unprecedented capabilities that can significantly impact various aspects of society. However, they also pose potential risks, such as unintended consequences, privacy breaches, and algorithmic biases. Regulation can help identify and mitigate these risks, ensuring these technologies’ responsible development and deployment.
2. Ethical Implications: AI and quantum computing raise ethical concerns related to privacy, bias, accountability, and the impact on human autonomy. For AI, issues such as algorithmic fairness, transparency, and decision-making accountability must be addressed. Quantum computing, with its potential to break current encryption methods, requires regulatory measures to protect sensitive information. Ethical guidelines and regulations can provide a framework to address these concerns and promote responsible innovation.
3. Balancing Innovation and Regulation: Regulating quantum computing and AI involves balancing fostering innovation and protecting society’s interests. Excessive regulation could stifle technological advancements, hinder research, and impede economic growth. On the other hand, a lack of regulation may lead to the proliferation of unsafe or unethical applications. A thoughtful and adaptive regulatory approach is necessary, considering the dynamic nature of these technologies and allowing for iterative improvements based on evolving understanding and risks.
4. International Collaboration: Given the global nature of quantum computing and AI, international collaboration in regulation is essential. Harmonising regulatory frameworks can avoid fragmented approaches, ensure consistency, and facilitate ethical and responsible practices across borders. Collaborative efforts can also address data privacy, security, and cross-border data flow challenges, enabling a more unified and cooperative approach towards regulation.
5. Regulatory Strategies: Regulatory strategies for quantum computing and AI should adopt a multidisciplinary approach involving stakeholders from academia, industry, policymakers, and the public. Key considerations include:

1. Risk-based Approach: Regulations should focus on high-risk applications while allowing low-risk experimentation and development space.
2. Transparency and Explainability: AI systems should be transparent and explainable to enable accountability and address concerns about bias, discrimination, and decision-making processes.
3. Privacy Protection: Regulations should safeguard individual privacy rights, especially in quantum computing, where current encryption methods may be vulnerable.
4. Testing and Certification: Establishing standards for the testing and certification of AI systems can ensure their reliability, safety, and adherence to ethical principles.
5. Continuous Monitoring and Adaptation: Regulatory frameworks should be dynamic, regularly reviewed, and adapted to keep pace with the evolving landscape of quantum computing and AI.

Conclusion:

‍Integrating quantum computing and AI holds immense potential for advancing technology across diverse domains. Quantum computing can enhance the capabilities of AI systems, enabling the solution of complex problems, accelerating data processing, and revolutionising industries such as healthcare, finance, and cybersecurity. As research and development in these fields progress, collaborative efforts among researchers, industry experts, and policymakers will be crucial in harnessing the synergies between quantum computing and AI to drive innovation and shape a transformative future.The regulation of quantum computing and AI is a complex and ongoing discussion. Striking the right balance between fostering innovation, protecting societal interests, and addressing ethical concerns is crucial. A collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to regulation, considering international cooperation, risk assessment, transparency, privacy protection, and continuous monitoring, is necessary to ensure these transformative technologies' responsible development and deployment.