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Writer's pictureARUN RAWAT

DIGITAL SLAVERY



The convenience of accomplishing every talk with a click of the button has made us more and more dependent on devices.  Our reliance on technology has grown to such an extent that imagining a life without it seems almost impossible.. We are so engrossed in the devices that the virtual interactions have become real world interactions. This convenience has a cost and that cost is our attention. This relentless pursuit of engagement feeds a digital economy where our attention is the most valuable commodity.


In the age of technology, where connectivity and convenience are at their peak, a new form of enslavement has quietly emerged. This phenomenon, often termed "digital slavery," encompasses the various ways our lives are subtly controlled and manipulated by digital technologies, leaving us bound by invisible chains and frustrations.


Faceless Offices 

In the era of faceless offices, banks, assessment authorities,  consumers are suffering due to the impersonal and often frustrating nature of digital interactions. Without the ability to speak to a real person, customers face long wait times, unhelpful automated responses, and a lack of accountability from businesses. This disconnect leads to unresolved issues, diminished trust, and a sense of being undervalued. The absence of human touch in customer service deprives consumers of empathy and personalised support, making it difficult to navigate complex problems and leaving many feeling abandoned and powerless in a sea of technology.


Multiple identification cards

In today's world, we carry multiple identification cards such as PAN, Aadhaar, voter ID, driving licence, and more. Managing these various cards, often linking one with another, can be incredibly inconvenient and confusing. This cumbersome system leads to frequent mix-ups, administrative delays, and a significant burden on individuals who must keep track of multiple documents. The solution to this chaos is simple: one card for one nation. A single, unified identification card would streamline processes, reduce bureaucratic red tape, and make life easier for everyone by consolidating all essential information into one accessible and efficient system.


Digital signatures and KYCs

Banks often require repeated Know Your Customer (KYC) updates, stopping transactions if not completed, which they should have managed proactively. This process lacks accountability and imposes a significant burden on customers. Despite the convenience of digital signatures, the system is riddled with inefficiencies, creating an open platter of inconvenienc, without being anyone accountable.


Call Centres 

The frustration of dealing with call centres adds another layer of inconvenience for consumers. Long wait times, navigating through complex automated menus, and frequently being transferred between departments can make resolving even simple issues a daunting task. The impersonal nature of call centres often leaves customers feeling unheard and dissatisfied, exacerbating their frustration.


CIBIL

CIBIL, as a headless authority, often fails to resolve issues either by phone or by mail, causing significant trouble for the middle class. Their lack of effective customer service leaves many individuals struggling to correct errors in their credit reports or to understand their credit scores. This inefficiency disproportionately impacts the middle class, who rely heavily on their credit scores for loans and financial stability. In contrast, the wealthy often bypass the need for a CIBIL score altogether, highlighting a disparity in the financial system that favors the upper class while neglecting the needs of the middle class.


CYBER FRAUDS

Cyber frauds are a significant source of inconvenience and distress in our digital age, leading to financial losses, compromised personal information, and a pervasive sense of insecurity. These scams, including phishing, identity theft, and ransomware attacks, create a heavy burden as victims must navigate the complex process of recovering funds and restoring compromised accounts. This persistent threat erodes trust in digital systems. 


DAILY STRUGGLE 

Every day, every person faces struggles related to some form of digital inconvenience. Whether it's dealing with phone issues, internet outages, banking errors, malfunctioning office equipment, or problems with devices, debit, and credit cards, the frustration is pervasive. Added to these are the hassles of managing multiple online accounts, dealing with forgotten passwords, navigating customer service call centers, and ensuring data privacy. These constant digital disruptions can make life unnecessarily complicated and stressful.


No doubt about it that the mdoern digital solutions have extended a great convenience but its like a mobile - more freedom and connected we feel, more dependent and disconneted we are.

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