E-commerce, tech firms oppose data sharing

Chennai: Some e-commerce and technology companies have raised objections on sharing of data while making suggestions on the draft e-commerce policy, the deadline for which ended on Friday. Traders have demanded setting up judicial or quasi-judicial authority to enforce the policy.

A key point discussed in the draft policy was sharing and storing of data. The draft has proposed setting up a legal and technological framework for restrictions on cross-border data flow.

Some of the e-commerce players have asked the government to come out with a separate policy on data. They are not comfortable with sharing of processed data. They argue that processed data is similar to intellectual property that gives them an edge over their rivals. A few technology companies are not keen on storing data in India.