Passage

With the digital phenomenon restructuring most social sectors, it is little surprise that global trade negotiations are now eyeing the digital area in an attempt to pre-emptively colonise it. Big Data is freely collected or mined from developing countries, and converted into digital intelligence in developed countries. This intelligence begins to control different sectors and extract monopoly rents. A large foreign company providing cab service, for instance, is not a network of cars and drivers; it is digital intelligence about commuting, public transport, roads, traffic, city events, personal behavioural characteristics of commuters and drivers and so on.

QUESTION

CSAT

Easy

Comprehension

Prelims 2019

Which one of the following is the most logical and rational corollary to the above passage?

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. This is too broad and general, as the passage does not specifically discuss globalization or its overall impact on India's socioeconomic structures.

Statement 2 is correct. The passage emphasizes how Big Data is mined from developing countries like India and converted into digital intelligence in developed countries, which then controls various sectors and extracts monopoly rents. This suggests a vulnerability for India in terms of its digital sovereignty. Thus, protecting its digital assets during global trade negotiations is a logical and rational corollary.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The passage does not advocate charging monopoly rents; instead, it highlights the exploitation of digital intelligence by foreign entities.

Statement 4 is incorrect. There is no explicit mention of a proportional relationship between the loss of Big Data and foreign trade.