Online services have become an inseparable part of everyday life. Financial transactions, banking, shopping, paying bills, booking appointments, and even watching movies and TV shows are now routinely done online. Commuters purchase transport tickets on apps and scan or swipe them at gates. Passwords and one-time passwords (OTPs) have become a normal part of daily routines, as people manage multiple online accounts simultaneously. Online life is indeed very real.
The convenience of online services is undeniable. They save time, reduce the need to carry cash, and improve efficiency. They also have environmental benefits. When commuters use online tickets instead of paper ones, fewer tickets are printed, and discarded tickets no longer litter roads or stations. This reduces paper waste and helps maintain cleaner public spaces. Similarly, online bills and receipts reduce the use of paper in offices and stores, contributing to a smaller carbon footprint over time.
Yet, while technology brings convenience, some questions arise. Why have global institutions and technology firms pushed digital systems so intensively? Is the primary goal improving efficiency and service? Or is there also an element of increased control over how people manage their daily lives, spend their money, and interact with society?
The scale of online adoption is enormous. According to recent data, more than 4 billion people are expected to use digital payments in 2024, with mobile wallet adoption rising rapidly across multiple countries. Around 35 per cent of global payment transactions are already digital. QR code payments alone now serve over 1 billion users globally. In India, this transformation is particularly notable, with approximately 90.8 per cent of the population using mobile wallets in 2023, making it one of the highest adoption rates worldwide. A survey also revealed that 93 per cent of Indian consumers used at least one digital payment method in the past year. These numbers include not only shopping but also paying utility bills, booking travel tickets, transferring money, and even donating to charities. Online life has fundamentally reshaped how individuals and businesses manage money.
Public transport has undergone a similar digital revolution. In many cities, commuters depend entirely on QR codes and online ticketing systems. More than half of metro tickets in several urban areas are now purchased online. In one city, WhatsApp ticketing accounted for nearly 20 per cent of all bookings. Even utility bill payments are increasingly digital. In one region of India, 65 per cent of electricity consumers opted to pay their bills online using apps or QR codes. This trend shows how daily life is becoming increasingly dependent on digital platforms.
However, using these services requires careful management. People must register on multiple apps and websites, set strong passwords, and monitor OTPs. Digital tickets and QR codes must be preserved for transport, events, or access to facilities. While this system works efficiently for many, it also demands constant vigilance.
Concerns about data privacy, cyber security, and control have grown alongside adoption. India, one of the largest digital economies, saw high-value cyber fraud cases jump more than four times in fiscal year 2024, resulting in losses of around $20 million. This surge illustrates that increased online reliance comes with significant risks. Cyber literacy and security awareness have not always kept pace with adoption, leaving users vulnerable to scams and breaches.
Despite rapid online adoption, millions of people around the world remain offline. More than 2.2 billion individuals have limited or no internet access, particularly in regions of Africa and South Asia. Countries such as North Korea, the Central African Republic, Burundi, and South Sudan have very low internet penetration, meaning many people continue to live largely offline, relying on traditional methods for shopping, banking, and transport.
Overall, online services have simplified life for billions. People can shop, pay bills, travel, and access services digitally, even in remote areas. Small businesses use these platforms to reach customers beyond physical shops. At the same time, reliance on digital platforms makes societies more vulnerable to cyber threats, system failures, and data misuse. The question of whether digital expansion is entirely altruistic or partly about control remains unresolved. Technology reflects human ambition, convenience, and risk. The challenge is to shape systems that empower users, protect personal data, and allow individuals to retain control over their digital lives, rather than making technology indispensable without safeguards.
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