Thread by @utkarsh_aanand

#socialmedia guidelines: #SupremeCourt asks can the law cast an obligation of #WhatsApp, #Facebook to decrypt or shouldn't the Govt have own technology to decrypt & the intermediaries have to only assist?

Attorney General KK Venugopal says the #socialmedia entities shouldn't have come to #India if they weren't going to assist. They can't use technology that doesn't provide for decryption?

Judges say it is like there is a closed door and they are saying you can open the room. But you want the keys to it too. The question however is whether they are under legal obligation to give you (Govt) the key?

#socialmedia

Sr adv shyam Divan, for Internet Freedom Assocn of India, objects to the manner in which #SupremeCourt is hearing this case. He reminds the judges that this is a transfer petition & SC shouldn't interdict any adjudication by high courts.

#socialmedia

For #Facebook, Sr adv Mukul Rohatgi says neither they are under any obligation to decrypt messages nor do they have the key to the room in the example cited earlier by the #SupremeCourt.
He also counters Divan's argument saying matter should be heard in SC.

#socialmedia

Attorney General KK Venugopal, for #TamilNadu Govt, says the state has no objection to the case being sent back to the #Madras High Court.

SG Tushar Mehta, for Centre says that the Govt isn't for invading #privacy of citizens but #privacy has to be balanced with national interest, sovereignty of the country.

"No intermediary can say that in the guise of privacy, terrorist activities can be protected."

#SupremeCourt allows transfer petitions, all cases relating to social media guidelines transferred to itself. Matter to be heard in January last week after the Centre formulates new guidelines on intermediaries.

#socialmedia