MUMBAI
India’s deadly coronavirus second wave has underscored a stark digital divide determining who has better access to vaccines and healthcare, as surging caseloads expose shortfalls and overwhelm hospitals.
Onerous online procedures have turned vaccine access into an exclusionary, often lottery-like process in a country where about half the population lacks internet access.
When India opened up vaccines to all adults on 1 May, those in the 18 to 44 age group had to register through the Cowin platform – a centralised system – before they could book an appointment. For this, they need identity documents and access to a smartphone or computer with a strong internet connection. As states grapple with vaccine shortages, the online system has privileged a small fraction of elite, tech-literate city dwellers.
22 April 2021
Between 27 and 31 March, Twitter locked three accounts that deal with cyber-security issues and regularly post information about data breaches. These accounts belong to the Free Software Movement of India, Rajshekhar Rajaharia and Robert Baptiste, who goes by the name Elliot Alderson on Twitter. Rajaharia and Baptiste had tweeted about a data breach at MobiKwik, a digital wallet, while FSMI has posted about a leak at Big Basket, on online grocery store. Rajaharia and Baptiste’s accounts were restored within 12 hours, but FSMI was locked out of it’s account for almost 17 days.
Between 27 and 31 March, Twitter locked three accounts that deal with cyber-security issues and regularly post information about data breaches. These accounts belong to the Free Software Movement of India, Rajshekhar Rajaharia and Robert Baptiste, who goes by the name Elliot Alderson on Twitter. Rajaharia and Baptiste had tweeted about a data breach at MobiKwik, a digital wallet, while FSMI
India sees at least 10 Internet suspensions at the start of 2021: report zeebiz.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from zeebiz.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Missed application deadlines, loss of income: Impact of the internet shutdown in Haryana
Though some felt it was for their âsafetyâ, others asked what internet shutdowns say about âDigital Indiaâ.
23 Feb, 2021
Mohit Rana doesnât have the heart to tell his parents that he was unable to apply for the staff selection commission-combined graduate level exam.
âThey wonât understand,â he said. âThey will ask me why I didnât submit the application on time.â
But Mohit, a resident of Haryana, had tried his best. The SSC-CGL exam, conducted by the central government to recruit staff for various government posts, opened its application process on December 29. The last date to apply was January 31, and applications could only be submitted online.