We wrote to @ugc_india and @EduMinOfIndia on the use of proctoring technology by various universities across the country highlighting privacy concerns.
Proctoring tech uses AI powered algorithms and tools to keep a check on candidates during online exams. This tech is being used in various forms at UPES, Dehradun, Delhi Technological University, O.P. Jindal Global University, SRM University, IIT-Bombay to name a few.
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The concerns that arise are (in brief): 1. It is a highly invasive technology 2. There is a failure to protect the privacy of students 3. Other technical issues such as internet connectivity and technical glitches may affect candidature or outcome of exam
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Our recommendations were: 1. Issue a directive halting the use of proctoring technology by universities to conduct online examinations. 2. Issue detailed guidelines on how online exams should be conducted while ensuring necessary privacy protections are put in place.
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Alarmed by the recent changes to WhatsApp's Privacy Policy but confused about what exactly is going on? Well, we have got you covered with this explainer! 1/n
The latest changes to WhatsApp’s Privacy Policy cement the problematic status quo which has existed since the Policy was first updated in 2016. Here is a complete timeline of events and details of the changes made in 2021. 2/n
The changes to WhatsApp’s Privacy Policy in 2016 are also the subject of pending litigation before the Supreme Court and IFF is an intervenor in the case. 3/n
In the month of December, we have till now filed 24 RTI requests with various Central and State level public authorities digitally and through physical filing. Read about them in detail above!
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The RTI Act is one of the most important tools at the disposal of the public to engage with and demand transparency and accountability from the Govt. We use the Act to routinely extract information about various ongoing policies and projects that the Government launches.
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Given the debate over the contentious nature of Airtel’s updated privacy policy, we thought it would be a good time to analyse the privacy policies of the four major telecom service providers. 1/n
We analysed the privacy policies in the context of the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, while also drawing on the Puttaswamy judgement of the Supreme Court as well as the terms of the Unified Access License agreement signed by these TSPs.
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Despite its recent revision, Airtel's privacy policy still contained significant issues: 3/n
Spurred by recent happenings we've created an explainer on the 'AgriStack' proposed by the Centre. Through this explainer we wish to provide an introduction to the 'Agristack' and its potential benefits and drawbacks and start a public conversation. 1/n
The AgriStack is a collection of technologies and digital databases proposed by the Central Government. Its ostensible aim is to collect certain data about farmers and their land and use this data to address issues such a lack of formal credit, pest prevention, and wastage.
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Here’s a quick graphic intro explaining AgriStack that can be easily shared with friends and people who might find this useful. Please feel free to forward within relevant groups! #SaveOurPrivacy 3/n
Minutes of meetings of the 9th Empowered Group responsible for technology and data management during the COVID-19 crisis provide a picture of how data from Aarogya Setu is being integrated with different systems. 1/n
The documents suggest there is two-way sharing of data between Aarogya Setu and other databases which include the COVID India Portal and the Ayushman Bharat System. 2/n
During the meetings, concerns were raised about sharing of health data between so many databases. Govt officials also seem to be aware of the problem of false positives being reported by Aarogya Setu. 3/n
Read our proposal to the Govt of Kerala in light of the repeal of S.118A to help avoid any overbroad or unnecessary criminalisation of online speech while also ensuring abuse, threats or any of the harms that emerge on social media can be checked.
The repeal of the much criticised provision does not mean such proposals may not arise in future. Thus, we wrote to @vijayanpinarayi with recommendations on the process that may be followed to meet the objectives of checking online abuse, threats and misinformation.
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1. Adoption of a public, deliberative process in drafting any provision to regulate online speech 2. Positive acknowledgment of the role of digital media 3. Seek clear legal opinion 4. Put any proposal to legislative scrutiny.
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