In a world where data are extracted from individuals with or without informed consent, data and AI experts have called for building awareness and underscored the importance of extracting only relevant data at The Hindu Tech Summit 2026, hosted by The Hindu, presented by VIT, and co-presented Sify Technologies, in Chennai on Friday.

The session, ‘Data Privacy as a Pillar of Resilience: Building Trust in a Digital Age’, featured B. Jegadeeswaran, senior general manager-IT, TVS Automobile; A.N. Srinivasan, senior vice-president-IT, SRF Ltd.; Shivashanmugam Muthu, senior director, Capgemini Technology Services India Limited; and M. Sivasubramanian, VP and CDIO, Jk Fenner. It was moderated by Nagaraj, VP-Data and Analytics, The Hindu.

Underscoring the need for ascertaining whether the data being collected are necessary, Mr. Srinivasan said, “They [those who collect data] need to tell us the purpose of data collection. I have been part of one of the State government’s digital meetings… Some of the apps [used by that government] have 25-30 fields. But it is trying to reduce the number to 10. There is an effort not to capture unwanted, unnecessary data. My view is that the awareness exists at the governmental level itself. We need to be aware of why a website is seeking a particular piece of data and the purpose. Members of the public should be conscious of the data that they are giving.”

Speaking about the working of the Digi Yatra application, which ensures paperless travel at airports, Mr. Shivashanmugam Muthu said, “The Digi Yatra application works on the basis of consent. The data are stored in the local device and encrypted. All the protocol standards are well maintained. We made it possible. Let the AI be hungry for data but gather the right data.”

Mr. Sivasubramanian argued that it would be difficult to ensure privacy in a world that extracts so much data. “Googles and Youtubes know about you better than what you know about yourself. Your photos, videos, eating habits, search history… Data is like oxygen.”

As for building trust among senior citizens who find it difficult to navigate mobile applications and hesitate to give data, Mr. Jegadeeswaran said, “It can only be done through creating awareness. Their sons and daughters have to play a role.”