Tweet From Union Minister About Sharing Mobile Number With Retailers: “Do Not Provide Your Mobile Number If…”
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, has recommended consumers withhold their personal mobile numbers from merchants unless they have a valid reason to do so.
An advocate for public health by the name of Dinesh S. Thakur tweeted about how he was asked for his phone number when purchasing chewing gum at the Delhi Airport, prompting the minister to offer his advice.
Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar responded to Mr. Thakur’s tweet by saying, “Do not give your mobile number if there is no justifiable reason for a retailer to have it. The misuse of Digital personal data of Indians will stop after the DPDP bill is enacted”.
The tweet shared by Mr. Thakur read, “Interesting experience at Delhi Airport today. Wanted to buy a pack of gum at one of the bookstores and I was asked for my phone number. When I asked why they need my phone number for buying a pack of gum, I was told it was for ‘security purposes’”.
Mr. Thakur stated that he was met with blank looks when he asked what form of security was required to purchase a pack of gum.
In addition, Dinesh S. Thakur said he was astounded to witness so many passengers willingly sharing this information without even batting an eye.
In 2022, severe fines of up to 500 crore rupees can be enforced for personal data breaches, according to the DPDP Law. It specifies that failure to implement sufficient security procedures to secure data and prevent personal data breaches will result in penalties for data processors and data fiduciaries.
News Mania Desk
