During the ET Soonicorns Summit 2025, a significant conversation unfolded as Shashank Kumar, COO of the fintech giant Razorpay, articulated concerns that technology startups often sideline data privacy during their initial product development phases. His comments underscore a growing apprehension amongst industry stakeholders regarding the adherence to privacy norms amidst rapid technological expansions.
The summit, which congregated some of the brightest minds and frontrunners in the tech-startup ecosystem, served as a platform for intense and crucial conversations concerning the intersection of technology advancement and ethical considerations. Kumar’s candid observations spotlighted an issue that is increasingly coming under scrutiny as digital technologies permeate more facets of daily life.
“It is pivotal for startups to embed data privacy into the DNA of product development rather than considering it an afterthought,” Kumar stated during one of the panel discussions. This sentiment is resonant of a larger, more pressing debate on how technology companies balance the relentless pursuit of innovation with the stringent requirements of user privacy and data protection.
Further detailing the ramifications of neglecting data privacy at the nascent stages of product development, Kumar highlighted that such oversights can lead to severe consequences. These range from losing user trust to facing punitive actions from regulators, which not only tarnish a company’s reputation but also impact its financial health adversely.
The concerns aired by Razorpay’s COO are reflective of a broader industry trend wherein the rush to market dominance and technological breakthrough often eclipses the foundational principles of user security and privacy. This trend prompts a reflection on the part of other startups to contemplate the integration of robust privacy frameworks right from the conceptual stage of their products.
This perspective is critical especially in light of recent high-profile data breaches and the implementation of stringent data protection laws globally. Countries around the world are increasingly tightening regulations, compelling companies to prioritize data security and transparency in their operations.
The discussions at ET Soonicorns Summit 2025, as reported by Startup News, not only shed light on the technological aspirations of new-age companies but also planted a reminder of their enormous responsibilities towards consumers. Kumar’s assertions serve as a wake-up call to the industry, advocating for a balanced approach towards innovation—one that firmly upholds the ethos of consumer privacy.
