'Third party software for virtual courts poses security risk'

New Delhi, Sep 11 With data security and threat of hacking being a major concern amid increasing dependency on technology and Internet, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice in its report on Friday noted that "third-party software poses a major security risk as such software programmes and applications are prone to hacking and manipulation."

As the judicial system started the court proceeding through video conferencing while the country was under the lockdown, the Committee's 103rd report titled 'Functioning of Court Proceedings through Video Conferencing' said there are concerns that Virtual Courts will compromise privacy of data as well as confidentiality of discussions and Court proceedings.

Expressing concern over the same, one of the members said, "When video conferencing and virtual hearing started, one of the software platforms was basically rejected by all on the ground that it is insecure. We are talking of insecure systems, those systems which the presiding officers are using."

In order to tackle the said issue, the Standing Committee led by BJP leader Bhupender Yadav has recommended the Ministry of Law and Justice and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to address data privacy and data security concerns while developing a new platform for India's judicial system.

The panel also advised that Blockchain technology should be leveraged to improve reliability of evidence and security of transactions and to fortify digital security of case files.

"Proper standardised systems of authentication need to be put in place. Online systems should be underpinned by proper procedural safeguards," the Committee said.

Talking about technical glitches during the virtual proceeding, one of the members said, "NIC should develop an efficient system, a customised application which is also cheap and can be accessed across the country."

Following these concerns, the Committee recommended that Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology may be approached by the Administrative Ministry to develop indigenous software applications to handle Virtual Court hearings.

"The Committee also recommends to rope in private IT companies, if needed, to develop Artificial Intelligence systems capable of supporting bulk documentation, remote location of parties and sophisticated use of graphics," the report noted.

( With inputs from IANS )