Current Affairs 8th Nov 2023 Amigos Ias

AMIGOS IAS Daily Current Affairs (8th Nov 2023)
1.1 Breaching of Personal Data of Indians

Why is it in the news?
 The news of an American cybersecurity company, Resecurity, uncovering the sale of per-
sonally identifiable information (PII) of 815 million Indian citizens on the dark web,
including sensitive data like Aadhaar numbers and passport details, raises significant
alarms.
 However, the specifics on how threat actors like pwn0001 and Lucius accessed this sensitive
data remain undisclosed. The stolen PII can be exploited for various cybercrimes, including online-
banking theft and tax fraud.
Past Incidences of Data Breach:
 Reports of Aadhaar data leaks surfaced in 2018, 2019, and 2022.
 Data from the PM Kisan website concerning farmers was disclosed on the dark web.
 A Telegram bot compromised personal data from the CoWIN portal.
Understanding Personally Identifiable Information (PII):

 PII is essential for identifying an individual, comprising data such as social security numbers, full
names, or email addresses.
 Direct identifiers (e.g., passport information) and indirect identifiers (e.g., race, place of birth) are
the two types of PII, with the former being unique to an individual and the latter requiring a com-
bination to identify a person.
The Magnitude of Threats (India)

 India ranked fourth globally in malware detections in the first half of 2023.
 A substantial percentage of Indian businesses and governmental organizations reported a signif-
icant rise in disruptive cyberattacks.
Challenges Associated with PII:

 The variances in data protection regulations globally create a complex environment for organiza-
tions.
 The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) sets a broad defini-
tion of personal data, complicating compliance for multinational corporations. Further, the organi-
zational affiliations and political opinions are protected as PII under GDPR, whereas other juris-
dictions might not classify these as sensitive.
 Other issues include Privacy, Data Management, and Safety Concerns.
Cyber Laws of India:

 In India, cybercrime is addressed through both the Indian Penal Code and the Information
Technology Act, 2000, which cover a range of activities where computers can be both the tool
and the target.
Way Forward:
Creating Data Privacy Frameworks: Organizations are encouraged to develop frameworks that
outline how PII is handled, protected, and when necessary, securely disposed of. This involves identi-
fying PII, categorizing it based on sensitivity, and applying appropriate protections.
Minimizing PII Collection and Usage: The principle of data minimization calls for limiting PII
collection and retention to what is strictly necessary, disposing of it responsibly when no longer
needed.
Applying Data Security Controls: Security controls such as encryption and identity management
are crucial. For example: Implementing two-factor or multifactor authentication; and Adopting a zero-
trust architecture.
Tailoring Controls to Sensitivity Levels: It’s advised to apply stringent controls to sensitive data
while balancing security and convenience for less sensitive data to avoid operational inefficiencies.
Adhering to Best Practices: Organizations and individuals should follow best practices in areas
such as web application security, email security, wireless security, and awareness of phishing attacks.
Indian Govt Initiatives to cope with cyber crimes

 Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): A National Centre for coordinating ef-
forts against cyber-crimes.
 National Cyber Forensic Laboratory: Offers cyber forensic assistance to police across In-
dia.
 CyTrain Portal: Online platform providing courses on cyber-crime investigation and forensics.
 National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: Public service for reporting cyber-crimes, focus-
ing on offenses against women and children.
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Call: 9000230735
 Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System: A toll-free help-
line for reporting and managing financial cyber frauds.
 Cybercrime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) Scheme: Financial
aid to States/UTs for improving investigation of cyber-crimes.
 Joint Cyber Coordination Teams: Teams to improve coordination among Law Enforcement
Agencies on cyber-crimes with multi-jurisdictional aspects.
 Central Assistance for Modernization of Police: Funds for States/UTs to update police
with modern equipment for cyber policing.
1.2 Ecological Threat Report (ETR), 2023
 The Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) released the Ecological Threat Report (ETR)
for 2023, highlighting various ecological threats and their links to conflict.
About the Report

 The ETR categorizes threats into four main areas: Food Insecurity, Natural Disasters, De-
mographic Pressure, and Water Risk.
 Food Insecurity: 42 countries are experiencing severe food insecurity, with over 65% of their
populations unable to afford food in the past year.
 Natural Disasters: There is a significant risk of a devastating natural disaster affecting more
than 5% of a population.
 Demographic Pressure: Predictions indicate more than a 70% population increase by 2050,
placing additional strain on resources and societal resilience.
 Water Risk: Over 20% of the world's population lacks access to clean drinking water.
The report finds a direct correlation between ecological threats and conflict:
 A 25% worsening in food insecurity is linked to a 36% increased risk of conflict.
 Natural disasters can exacerbate resource scarcity, leading to increased food and water insecurity
and fuelling conflicts, especially in regions with lower levels of peacefulness, high climatic variabil-
ity, high poverty, and weak governance, like the Sahel.
Sahel
 The Sahel is a semi-arid region of Africa, serving as a transitional zone between the Sahara
Desert to the north and the Sudanian savanna to the south.
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Call: 9000230735
 It extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Red Sea in the east, encompassing parts of
Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Re-
public, Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, and Ethiopia.
Recommendations (ETR 2023)

 Strengthening resilience through robust institutions and infrastructure.
 Empowering local communities to achieve greater sustainability.
 Implementing innovative programs to enhance water resilience, such as sand dams and engineered
wetlands.
 Promoting Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration to restore degraded lands.
1.3 Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)
 Recently, Energy Efficiency Services Limited has launched National Efficient Cooking Program and
Energy Efficient Fans Program.
About National Efficient Cooking Programme

 Objective: Deploy 20 lakh induction cook-stoves across India.
 Focus: Non-Solar/Electricity-based Induction Cookstoves, supporting the 'Go-electric' initiative
by the Ministry of Power.
 Part of Clean Cooking Scheme to promote efficient cooking methods.
About Energy Efficient Fans Programme

 Objective: Distribute 1 crore energy-efficient fans.
 Impact: Potentially reduce residential electricity consumption by nearly 20%.
About EESL
 Established in 2009.
 Promoted by Ministry of Power, Government of India.
 Joint Venture between four public-sector undertakings: National Thermal Power Corporation Lim-
ited (NTPC); Power Finance Corporation Limited; REC Limited; and POWERGRID Corporation of
India Limited.
 It is the key implementer of the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, part of
the National Action Plan on Climate Change.
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Call: 9000230735
Flagship Programs of EESL
 Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA): Distributed LED bulbs nationwide to re-
duce energy consumption.
 Street Lighting National Programme: Replaced traditional street lights with energy-efficient
alternatives.
 Smart Meter National Programme: Deployed smart metering to improve billing and energy
consumption tracking.
 Buildings Energy Efficiency Programme: Enhanced energy efficiency in buildings through
technology upgrades and retrofitting.
1.4 Appointment of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC)
 Recently, Shri Heeralal Samariya was appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner.
About Central Information Commission (CIC)

 Established under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
 Jurisdiction is over all Central Public Authorities.
 Functions: Adjudication in second appeals, directing record-keeping, suo-motu disclosures, com-
plaints handling, imposing penalties, monitoring, and annual reporting.
 Decision Authority: Final and binding.
 Composition: Headed by the Chief Information Commissioner, with up to 10 Information Com-
missioners.
Right to Information Act, 2005

 About: It mandates timely response to citizen requests for government information.
 Objective: Promote transparency and accountability in public authorities.
 Applicability: All government levels and recipients of government grants.
 Limitations: Information must pre-exist and be held by the public authority.
 Rights: Equates citizen's right to information with that of Members of Parliament and State
Legislatures.
Chief Information Commissioner (CIC)

 Appointment: By the President based on a recommendation by a committee including the Prime
Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and a Union cabinet minister.
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Call: 9000230735
 Eligibility: Eminent person with knowledge and experience in relevant fields; not an MP, MLA,
or person connected with any office of profit, political party, business, or profession.
 Term: Three years from the date of assuming office.
 Removal: By the President for proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
Powers and Functions of Information Commissions

 Comparable to civil courts for certain functions like summoning, evidence collection, document
requisition, and witness examination under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
 Authority to inspect documents, receive affidavits, and any other prescribed matters.
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Call: 9000230735

Current Affairs 8th Nov 2023 Amigos Ias

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AMIGOS IAS Daily Current Affairs (8th Nov 2023)

1.1 Breaching of Personal Data of Indians

Understanding Personally Identifiable Information (PII):

The Magnitude of Threats (India)

Challenges Associated with PII:

Cyber Laws of India:

Indian Govt Initiatives to cope with cyber crimes

1.2 Ecological Threat Report (ETR), 2023

Why is it in the news?

About the Report

Recommendations (ETR 2023)

1.3 Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)

Why is it in the news?

About National Efficient Cooking Programme

About Energy Efficient Fans Programme

1.4 Appointment of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC)

Why is it in the news?

About Central Information Commission (CIC)

Right to Information Act, 2005

Chief Information Commissioner (CIC)

Powers and Functions of Information Commissions

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