NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
1. Potential of Web 3.0 and related challenges
2. Organized Crimes Situation In India
Themes : IT & Computers ; Indigenization of Technology ; Scientific Innovations & Discoveries, Internal Security.
Paper : GS - 3
According to the Cryptotech Industry in India 2021 report by NASSCOM and WazirX, India is home to more than 230 Web 3.0 start-ups already.
Web 1.0: It is considered the first phase, where most of the web accessible to people was “Read-only”, allowing users to simply read content and not really interact with it.This included content like news sites, portals and search engines.
Web 2.0 :The differentiating characteristic of Web 2.0 compared to Web 1.0 is that users can create content.They can interact and contribute in the form of comments, registering likes, sharing and uploading their photos or videos and perform other such
TABLE OF CONTENT
- Context
- Various versions of Web
- How will Web 3.0 address the Issue of Data Monopoly?
- Positives of Web 3.0
- Negatives of Web 3.0
- Road Ahead
1. Potential of Web 3.0 and related challenges.
Theme : IT & Computers ; Indigenization of Technology ; Scientific Innovations & Discoveries.
Paper : GS - 3
Context :
According to the Cryptotech Industry in India 2021 report by NASSCOM and WazirX, India is home to more than 230 Web 3.0 start-ups already.
Various versions of Web :
- Web 1.0: It is considered the first phase, where most of the web accessible to people was “Read-only”, allowing users to simply read content and not really interact with it.This included content like news sites, portals and search engines.
- Web 2.0 :The differentiating characteristic of Web 2.0 compared to Web 1.0 is that users can create content.They can interact and contribute in the form of comments, registering likes, sharing and uploading their photos or videos and perform other such activities.Primarily, a social media kind of interaction is the differentiating trait of Web 2.0.
- Web 3.0 : Gavin Wood, founder of Ethereum, a block chain technology company, used the term Web3 first in 2014.Web 3.0 represents a new phase in the Internet’s evolution i.e., a visually dynamic, semantic and spatial Web with concept of decentralization, openness, and greater user utility.It combines a bouquet of disruptive technologies such as blockchain, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Cloud, Edge, IoT, cryptocurrency and runs on an AI-based analytics layer for data-driven insights.
How will Web 3.0 address the Issue of Data Monopoly?
Web3 will deliver a decentralized and fair internet where users control their own data.
- Currently if a seller has to make a business to the buyer, both the buyer and seller need to be registered on a “shop” or “platform” like Amazon or Ebay or any such e-commerce portal.
- What this “platform” currently does is that it authenticates that the buyer and seller are genuine parties for the transaction.
- Web3 would try to remove the role of the “platform”.
- For the buyer to be authenticated, the usual proofs aided by block chain technology will be used. The same goes for the seller.
Positives of Web 3.0 :
- Open and Transparent Network: Web 3.0 is the open network, all applications and programs are developed using open-source software.
- Seamless Ecosystem: The centralized control over data by platform companies moves into the hands of the individuals with Web 3.0, using smart protocols on blockchain that eliminate the need for third parties.
- Direct Relationship Between Sellers And Customers: Web 3 technology can also eliminate middlemen, allowing sellers and customers to interact directly.Non-fungible tokens are already enabling much of this, largely in static digital art, but the arrangement could easily be replicated in music, films, and other mediums.
- Independent Monetization: In centralized content management, user-generated content typically belongs to the platform it is published but Web 3.0 can empower creators by giving them a better opportunity to monetize.
- Personalized Experience: It has the potential to blur the lines between the physical and digital world. For instance, in the case of e-commerce using AI-powered Web 3.0, sellers would be able to better understand the buying needs.They will show those products and services to buyers that they are interested in buying. Also, buyers will see more useful and relatable advertisements.
Negatives of Web 3.0 :
- Rise in Cyber Crimes: According to some experts, regulating Web 3 would be difficult. They further claim that decentralization can bring new types of cyber-crime in the picture. It might lead to an increase in cyber-crime and online abuse, among other things.
- Lack of Grievance Redressal Mechanism: Due to its decentralized nature, it raises a question about whom to approach in case of grievances and who is accountable for data breach.
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Lack of Censorship Mechanism: Web 3.0 remains silent on censorship. It might give birth to obscene and provocative things.
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Also, removal of obscene or defamatory information, photos or videos will be challenging for national and international authorities.
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Scalability Concern: Scalability of Web 3.0 remains a major concern, since it is based on blockchain technology.
Road Ahead :
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Revitalizing E-Citizens and E-Governance: Web 3.0 can be utilized for better user experience of digital government services as well as better-quality data for more evidence-based policymaking.
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From the government’s perspective, cross-ministerial services can be built more quickly through blockchain technology.
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Focus on Interoperable and Ethical Standards: As all technologies evolve, the evolution of the internet is inevitable, to make Web 3.0 a strong propellant of global economic growth, prompt actions need to be taken by nations and industrial bodies to have open, ethical, and interoperable systems with solid standards.
TABLE OF CONTENT
- Context
- What is Organized Crime
- Various Categories of Organized Crime
- Implications of Organized Crimes
- PFI Conundrum
- Various Steps taken
- Road Ahead
2. Organized Crimes Situation In India.
Theme : Internal Security
Paper : GS - 3
Context :
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched a massive nationwide search operation in connection with anti-terror activities linked to the Popular Front of India-PFI for alleged terror links.
What is Organized Crime?
- Organized Crime could be described as the activities of any group or a conglomeration of groups functioning as an organized network, involving multiple actors, institutions and activities at multiple levels all aimed at bending, manipulating or violating the laws of the land, for creating money and surviving on fear and corruption.
- Organized crime is considered to be a changing and flexible phenomenon. Many of the benefits of globalization such as easier and faster communication, movement of finances and international travel, have also created opportunities for transnational organized criminal groups to flourish, diversify and expand their activities.
Various Categories of Organized Crime :
Types of organized crime can exist in a wide range of types :
- Money laundering– It is a way by which illegal money earned from sources such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, etc. are diverted to create an impression that such money comes from a legitimate source. Many criminals are engaged in this profession where they help people with an illegal income to convert it into a legitimate income.
- Smuggling– Naturally, the goods which are illegal in the territory of India or heavily taxed are smuggled to continue their trade or maintain profits. With a change in fiscal policy, the definition of smuggled goods varies but it is mostly items such as contraband substances, valuable jewels, electronics, certain fabrics, etc. which are smuggled in India.
- Drug trafficking– Drug trafficking is another major crime that poses a threat to the younger population of India, considering its drastic effects on physical and mental health. It is usually considered that the most important reason for the high rate of drug trafficking is the geographical condition of India. It is located between the Golden Triangle (Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos) in the northeast and Golden Crescent (Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran) in the northwest- both of which are the two largest sources of illicit drugs in Asia. Resultantly, this form of organized crime has become more prevalent and significant in the country.
- Human trafficking– Human trafficking is one of the most significant and heinous organized crimes. This involves women trafficking, child trafficking, trading in sex workers, etc. A book titled “Indian Mafia” by S.K. Ghosh has revealed that there are more than twenty-five lakh prostitutes in the country.
- Contract killings and kidnapping– Contract killings mean murdering someone for money on a contractual basis. This is usually prevalent among the highly influential and public personalities who are being murdered by their enemies/competitors through some other criminal for ransom. Similarly, kidnapping incidents are also prevalent wherein people pay a certain sum of money to get someone kidnapped or these criminals ask someone for a ransom. The recent murder of a Punjabi singer is a case of contract killing.
- Weapons Trafficking- Criminal networks and illicit arms dealers also play important roles in the black markets from which terrorists and drug traffickers procure some of their weapons. According to the head of UNODC, these “illicit arms fuel the violence that undermines security, development and justice” worldwide.
- Cybercrime. Organized crime networks are increasingly involved in cybercrime, which costs consumers billions of dollars annually, threatens sensitive corporate and government computer networks, and undermines worldwide confidence in the international financial systems such as banking, stock markets, e-currency, and value and credit card services.
Implications of Organized Crimes :
- Promote Violence- as evident from recent violence in Kerala by PFI activists after the NIA crackdown and also the Red Fort violence in Delhi by the ‘Sikh for Justice’ organization.
- Weakening of governments– as these organizations try to undermine the government by creating hatred towards national governments, and other communities and thus weakening the democratic institutions.
- Damaged economy– Organized crimes cause significant damage to the world financial system through its subversion, exploitation, and distortion of legitimate markets and economic activity. These activities can lead to disruption of the global supply chain and impact the ability of industry and transportation sectors to be resilient in the face of such disruption.
- Increase in local crimes and create an atmosphere of fear– The expansion of organized crimes has a spillover effect and increases the number of local crimes in the area, political corruption, formation of unholy nexuses, etc. which ultimately leads to poor social security and law and order situation.
- Social challenges– organized crimes are also used to fund organizations that promote radicalization of youth, and anger against government thus creating social tensions and rupturing the social fabric of the nation.
- Supporting terrorists– Terrorists and insurgents increasingly are turning to organized crimes to generate funding and acquire logistical support to carry out their violent acts.
PFI Conundrum :
- Links to terror outfits
- Promoting Radicalization
- Hostility against state mechanism
- Barbarism in the name of religion
Various Steps taken :
- FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) 2000- aims to consolidate and amend the law relating to foreign exchange to facilitate external trade and payments and for promoting the orderly development and maintenance of the foreign exchange market in India.
- PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) 2002- The PMLA seeks to combat money laundering in India and has objectives such as preventing and controlling money laundering, Confiscating and seizing the property obtained from the laundered money and dealing with any other issue connected with money laundering in India.
- UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) 1967- The act is an Indian law aimed at the prevention of unlawful activities of associations and individuals in India.
- National Security Act, 1980- There are various preventive laws existent in India which apply to organized crimes, explicitly and implicitly.
- Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988- It is another preventive law enacted to control the actions of people engaged in the illicit trafficking of drugs and other narcotic substances.
Road Ahead :
- Strengthening global response- all the countries must come together and globally respond to organized crimes.
- Inter-state coordination- should be promoted among state police as the nature of these crimes is transboundary.
- Introduce hi-tech software to track organized crime- since criminals are using the latest technologies to carry out their work, E.g CCTNS and Kerala police’s Cyberdome.