Title: Cambridge Analytica (CA), Facebook & you
(The controversy is a wake-up call to press ahead with a
robust data protection law)
The world has just learned how a data analytics firm,
Cambridge Analytica, harvested the data of 50 million Facebook users .
The company has used other dubious methods in projects
worldwide — including honeytraps to discredit clients’ opponents. The
combination of using personal data without consent and tailoring slander
campaigns, fake news and propaganda to discovered preferences of voters is a
potent and corrosive cocktail.
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This episode has brought to light several
issues that need to be addressed
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First, companies have been collecting data
and tailoring marketing campaigns accordingly. The issue here is particularly
prickly because politics and elections are involved.
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Second, regardless of whether what Facebook
and CA did was legal or not, something is broken in a policy environment in
which the data of millions are taken and used when only 270,000 people
knowingly or unknowingly gave consent.
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Third, technology is evolving at a rapid
pace. Individuals often share their data without being aware of it or
understanding the implications of privacy terms and conditions.
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Fourth, there must be clear laws on the
ownership of data and what data need to be protected. Individuals must own it,
have a right to know what companies and governments know about them and, in
most cases, that is, when there are no legitimate security or public interest
reasons, have the right to have their data destroyed.
Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC)
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Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC)
is a statutory market committee constituted by a State Government in respect of
trade in certain notified agricultural or horticultural or livestock products,
under the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act issued by that state
government.
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The Act also provides for the formation of
agricultural produce market committees (APMC) that are responsible for the
operation of the markets.
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Under Constitution of India, agricultural
marketing is a state (provincial) subject. While intra-state trades fall under
the jurisdiction of state governments, inter-state trading comes under Central
or Federal Government.
APMCs are intended to be responsible for:
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ensuring transparency in pricing system and
transactions taking place in market area;
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To reduce the multiple trade charges, levies
and exactions charged at present from the producer-sellers.
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To provide for the verification of accurate
weights and scales and see that the producer-seller is not denied his
legitimate due.
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To establish market committees in which the
agricultural producer will have his due representation.
Vocabulary words:
- Set off (phrasal verb) = to start a journey (शुरू करना)
- Revelation (noun) = disclosure (खुलासे)
- Sway (verb) = swing, shake (एक ओर झुकना)
- Dubious (adj) = doubtful (संदिग्ध)
- Consent (noun) = agreement (सहमति)
- Slander (noun) = infamy (बदनामी)
- Propaganda (noun) = information of a biased or misleading nature (प्रचार प्रसार)
- Potent (adj) = powerful (प्रबल)
- Corrosive (adj) = destructive, unfriendly (संक्षारक)
- Prickly (adj) = spiny, spiky (काँटेदार)
- Evolve (verb) = develop gradually
- Mandate (verb) = command, injunction (शासनादेश)
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