Thread by @internetfreedom

Today’s @IndianExpress front page story reports on fresh Government attempts:

a) Break end-to-end encryption by requiring traceability; #SaveOurPrivacy

b) “Pro-active” monitoring and removal of, “unlawful content” by online platforms; #RightToMeme

indianexpress.com/article/india/…

@IndianExpress First Question is on process and transparency.

1) Why is this being done secretively ?

2) Why are the only parties involved in this process the Government and a select group of private online platforms?

3) Why is there no public consultation ? #SaveOurPrivacy

@IndianExpress The government is approaching a top-down product solution on traceability in a seeming private negotiation with a handful of tech companies.

What about people who use these products?

What about involving experts?

What about smaller apps which use encryption? #SaveOurPrivacy

@IndianExpress The concerns on censorship are not, “overblown”. These draft changes which are being mooted rather than checking misinformation will introduce a china model of censorship.

It undermines the Shreya Singhal judgement by requiring, “proactive” filtering of content. #RightToMeme

@IndianExpress We will be posting a detailed analysis broken draft rule by draft rule in a hour. Disappointing that first with the MHA notification, now with the Draft Intermediary Rules we are setting on the path of a digital surveillance and censorship state like China. #SaveOurPrivacy

We have posted a detailed analysis right now on the Draft Intermediary Rules, 2018. We must resist the Chinese model of surveillance and censorship. #SaveOurPrivacy #RightToMeme internetfreedom.in/india-must-res…

Concern No. 1 : On Process. Why the secrecy?? #SaveOurPrivacy #RightToMeme #IntermediaryRules

Concern No. 2: Breaking encryption. Why no technical experts have been consulted on, “traceability”? (Hint: Because the rules are being drafted secretly). #RightToMeme #SaveOurPrivacy #IntermediaryRules

Concern No. 3: Longer even indefinite retention. Will any government officer now direct any online company to store our data without letting us know for infinity? Isn’t that risky. #RightToMeme #SaveOurPrivacy #IntermediaryRules

Concern No. 4: The Chinese Censorship model is an affront to our fundamental rights. #RightToMeme #SaveOurPrivacy #IntermediaryRules

Concern No. 5: Hello children. Government wants to be a schoolmaster and make online platforms are our nannies. #RightToMeme #SaveOurPrivacy #IntermediaryRules

On that note also do remember to enjoy the holidays. We all need to rest, laugh and play. It helps us maintain hope and remind us why our fundamental rights are important. Alongside we remain vigilant and keep fighting for our online freedoms. :D

#SaveOurPrivacy

Update: On christmasy eve’ MIETY has now announced a public consultation on the awful proposed changes to the Intermediary Rules.

Why wasn’t this done earlier?

meity.gov.in/content/commen…

Comments have been invited over the Christmas break and new years when most people are off work.

For this to be a genuine consultation, further time needs to be given. It does not change the nature of the proposals being put out which are incredibly dangerous. #SaveOurPrivacy

Our RTI’s then appeals to MIETY were denied on:

1) Comments received in the Justice Srikrishna public consultation on Data Protection Bill;

2) Appointment of the Legal contractors to draft it.

We will need more transparency to inspire public trust.

saveourprivacy.in/blog/the-draft…