Samir N. Chavan (Pg. 123-125)
Introduction:
The use of Information & Communication Technology is playing significant role in manufacturing, services and processing which has considerable share in India‘s Economy. Digitization is playing important role in Education as well. Considering its importance and potential in India the Union Government has also launched a scheme called ‗Digital India‘.
The government is using digitization for implementing various schemes and services through electronic system also called as E-Governance like land record digitization, railway computerization, digital literacy, digital education, digital mapping etc. Now digitization is in full swing in India from Local Level to Global Level. The development in digitization has raised many ethical issues and challenges which are required to be addressed.
Concept of „Digitization‟:
The Digitization is a process of converting data or information into digital format organized in ‗Bits‘. The term generally used when different kind of information like sound, object, text, voice or image converted into single binary code.1 The process of Digitization occurs into two parts – Discretization and Quantization. There are different definitions of the term ‗Digitization‘ some of them are as follows:
As per the Techopedia, it defines Digitization as:
―Digitization is the process of converting analog signals or information of any form into a digital format that can be understood by computer systems or electronic devices. The term is used when converting information, like text, images or voices and sounds, into binary code. Digitized information is easier to store, access and transmit, and digitization is used by a number of consumer electronic devices.‖2
The Oxford dictionary defines Digitization in following words:
―The conversion of text, pictures, or sound into a digital form that can be processed by a computer.‖3
1Available At:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digitizationon visited on December 18, 2018.
2 Available At: https://www.techopedia.com/definition/6846/digitization visited on December 18, 2018. 3 Available At: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/digitization visited on December 18, 2018.
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The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Digitization as:
―The process of converting something to digital form‖.4
e.g. i) the digitalization of printed books. ii) Patenting has become increasingly critical because technology plays an important role of digitalization of payments, online security and information exchange of financial institutions. 5
Digital Ethics:
Now a day‘s most of the people are using smart phones, internet, social media and computers for various purposes which also led to various ethical issues like infringement of privacy, internet surveillance, cyber related crimes etc. Digital ethics in broader sense deals with the effect of Information and Technology on our Society, Nation and Environment. 6
The theory of digital ethicsis applicable at individual level and at group level. The concept of Digital Ethics is based on the personal code of conduct and legal regulations as well. The use of Digitization should not pollute social or natural environment. Digital Ethics is nothing but a social responsibility in which individuals are to be held responsible for fulfilling their duties. The individual actions should be positive and must benefit the whole community. The balance between the use of Digitization and social welfare must be maintained.7
Need of Digital Ethics - Issues and Challenges:
Till 2021 India will have around one billion internet users and to regulate and maintain the equilibrium in society; law ethics and rules are require. The development in digitization lead many challenges like of misinformation, fake news, false propaganda and enmity between the communities are some gray areas which required to be regulated and hence legal provisions are important. Following are some laws to regulate the digitization in India are:
The Press Council Act, 1978
The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1955 The Cinematograph Act, 1952
The Information Technology Act, 2000.etc.
4 Available At: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digitalization visited on December 18, 2018. 5 Ibid.
6 Rafael Capurro, ‗Digital Ethics‘, 2009
Available At: http://www.capurro.de/korea.html visited on December 18, 2018.
7Available At: https://www.pachamama.org/social-justice/social-responsibility-and-ethics visited on December
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Conclusion:
The government of India has initiated the programme of inclusive growth in areas of electronic services, products, advertisement, manufacturing and job opportunities through digitization.8 India has the highest potential in Digital development in the world, many government and private initiatives in digitization helping nation for the fast development. The development in digitization has also lead to various socio legal issues and challenges from local to global level which required to be addressed not only at National level but international community should join hands to deal the challenges.
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FEASIBILITY, AFFORDABILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF DIGITIZATION IN