Thread by @internetfreedom

[Thread]

What are the most pressing threats to free expression in India? Join the #DigitalLawsAsia discussion by @APC_News to find out! At IFF, our free expression work has been focused on the unholy trinity of internet shutdowns, website blocking and speech based offences. 1/n

The Indian Govt shuts down the internet more than any other country in the world and it is responsible for the longest internet shutdown imposed by any democracy. 2/n #DigitalLawsAsia

Here is a timeline of 300 days of internet restrictions in J&K which are still in place and have been challenged before the Supreme Court. 3/n #DigitalLawsAsia



livelaw.in/top-stories/fo…

While J&K has faced the most severe restrictions, internet shutdowns are a pan-India problem with government officials pulling the kill switch for all kinds of reasons including preventing cheating in exams! 4/n #DigitalLawsAsia

Here are some legislative and policy proposals on how to reform India’s internet shutdown framework. 5/n #DigitalLawsAsia

internetfreedom.in/cant-drop-the-…

But preventing internet shutdowns is not enough. We must also work towards creating a positive right to internet access to bridge the digital divide. Even today, millions of Indians are deprived of internet access due to lack of infrastructure and last mile connectivity. 6/n

Here is an example from Andaman & Nicobar where people are forced to pay bills as high as 50k for extremely poor internet connectivity. 7/n #DigitalAndaman #DigitalLawsAsia

internetfreedom.in/for-the-people…

Website blocking has been in the news recently after the Indian Govt blocked access to a popular file sharing website called WeTransfer citing national security and public order. 8/n #DigitalLawsAsia

Here is an explainer on why this case represents the lack of transparency and accountability which has become a core feature of website blocking in India 9/n #DigitalLawsAsia

internetfreedom.in/we-urge-the-do…

The constitutionality of India’s website blocking law was upheld in Shreya Singhal v. UoI but the government routinely flouts requirements of notice, pre-decisional hearing and issuance of a reasoned order which helped the law pass constitutional muster. 10/n #DigitalLawsAsia

The blocking of the satirical Dowry Calculator website is a glaring example of this and IFF retained lawyers have facilitated a legal challenge against this before the Delhi High Court. 11/n #DigitalLawsAsia

internetfreedom.in/meity-defends-…

There has been a rise in misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic and governments want to criminally punish people who spread “fake news” but this runs the risk of stifling any dissent. 12/n #DigitalLawsAsia

We recently wrote to the Mumbai Police urging them to review their order issued under S.144, CrPC which criminalises online speech on vague grounds and holds group admins personally responsible for the speech of others. 13/n #DigitalLawsAsia

internetfreedom.in/we-wrote-to-th…

An important aspect of our work has been ensuring that existing victories are not eroded and we have been vigilantly monitoring the legal zombie which keeps rising from the dead: S.66A of the IT Act. 14/n #DigitalLawsAsia

Despite being struck down as unconstitutional in 2015, the police has continued to file cases under S.66A and we are working on a data driven project to eliminate its use. 15/n #DigitalLawsAsia


internetfreedom.in/how-a-bill-bec…

We have consistently sought reform of India's obscenity laws which are rooted in notions of victorian morality rather than individual autonomy. But online image based sexual abuse is very different from consensual pornography and it causes immense harm. 16/n #DigitalLawsAsia

Online harassment which has a chilling effect on vulnerable groups is also a free expression concern and here is what we must do to make the internet a safe space for women and girls. 17/n #DigitalLawsAsia

internetfreedom.in/the-internet-s…

Now it's your turn! Tell us which free expression issues do you think deserve more time and attention and join the discussion at #DigitalLawsAsia. And while you're at it, don't forget to check out the @CYRILLA database with cases, legislations and analysis from 148 countries.18/n