Contradiction

When it comes to data about the stuff we do being available to (and used by) our phones and apps, most people don’t seem to care. Is it because we feel that it makes no sense to be so possessive about something we didn’t even know had any value to anyone? Or is it a calculated move, a la what Tyrion Lannister advised Daenerys in Game of Thrones:
“You didn’t even know it (dragonglass) was here; it’s nothing to you. Give him something by giving him nothing.”
If the alternative is to pay for the services that Google, Facebook and WhatsApp provide, then it seems most of us would rather give them something (data) by giving them nothing (we care about). We seem to take the Tyrion approach:
“Let him mine the dragonglass. If he’s wrong, it’s worthless.”
Like Daenerys gave Jon Snow dragonglass; we give Google and Facebook data!

Given that’s our stance with data about ourselves (who we know, who we interact with, location, where we go, what interests us etc) when it comes to Google and Facebook, why do some people get so bent out of shape when it comes to Aadhar?! As Nandan Nilekani, the brains behind Aadhar, says so exasperatedly, Aadhar only has our name, gender, data of birth and address. Contrast that with what the Internet giants know about us!

But wait, there’s more. Google and Facebook are American companies; so our data could be made available to the American government, when asked for by US law agencies. So we’re OK with the American government knowing about us but not the Indian government? We don’t mind sharing practically every aspect of our lives with the American government, but can’t even share our name, gender, DOB and address with the Indian government?

I would really love the Aadhar bashers to explain the “logic” behind their stance… and no, hiding behind the “privacy” word isn’t an answer. Because, as we just saw, we share far, far more personal stuff with Google and Facebook (and thereby, potentially the American government).

C’mon, let’s hear it, I am all ears…

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