Columnists

Varad Pande

The writer works at Omidyar Network India, an investment firm focussed on social impact through equity investments and grants, with an emphasis on technology.

Privacy policies online are illegible and ‘consent’ is broken. New ideas are needed

Mon, Jan 18, 2021

By educating and empowering every Indian, we will enable her to participate fully in India’s digital economy, and thereby create a meaningful digital life for every Indian.

Experience with GST holds valuable lessons for One Nation One Ration Card

Wed, May 27, 2020

If done well, One Nation, One Ration Card, could lay the foundation of a truly national and portable benefits system that includes other welfare programmes like LPG subsidy and social pensions.

Privacy law should not disproportionately increase cost of business for start-ups

Fri, Mar 13, 2020

India has set itself a goal of a $1-trillion digital economy. This ambitious target will require it to develop a thriving start-up ecosystem. It is therefore important that the privacy bill does not lead to an uneven playing field for them.

To achieve its full potential, Aadhaar should be made easier and safer to use

Thu, Dec 19, 2019

Aadhaar has touched the life of almost every Indian resident. If there is one learning from the study, it is that the best way to deliver on the promise of Aadhaar is to focus on improving the user experience, making it easier for everyone to use Aadhaar safely every day.

A hundred small steps

Thu, Sep 26, 2019

Government should restructure PDS to meet goal of ‘one nation, one ration card’

The government must address concerns over privacy and secrecy of data

Wed, Jul 31, 2019

We believe that with big data comes big responsibility. As demonstrated by Cambridge Analytica and numerous other data breaches, poorly designed systems create risks for individuals, businesses and governments.