Non-interoperability of data platforms a concern: Trai

TIL Desk/Business/New Delhi/ Trai Chairman RS Sharma has expressed concern over non-interoperability of platforms, saying customers’ inability to port out their data can pose a “real danger” as it allows firms to dictate terms.

He said while the rapidly-evolving digital world has brought immense advantages in form of new tools, technologies and systems, it has also thrown up new posers for governments and regulators across the world.

“There are a lot of challenges that are emerging with the digital world and governments and regulators in many countries are waking up to this new reality and grappling with how to regulate or make laws to deal with this new reality,” Sharma said addressing a conference, ‘Future of Digital Economy’, organised by CUTS International.

Noting that telecom services space has the concept of number portability that allows consumers to port out if they so wish, Sharma said that no such system is in place when it comes to platforms.

“In telecom (services), the system is interoperable and interconnected. Platforms are not really interoperable. Many platforms don’t provide necessary API to take away data. The result is, winner takes all,” Sharma said.