Thread 🧵

Reports suggest that a large number of Twitter accounts which were sharing information about the farmers' protests have been blocked by MeitY under the opaque Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. 1/n
Section 69A and the IT Blocking Rules prevent intermediaries like Twitter from disclosing any information about blocking of an account or tweet. 2/n
The confidentiality requirement present under Rule 16 of the IT Blocking Rules creates a bizarre situation where citizens have the right to challenge blocking of online content but they are unable to do so because they don't have access to these legal orders. 3/n
IFF is representing @Plebeian42 in a Delhi HC case which challenges the confidentiality requirement under Rule 16 and seeks a clarification that creators of content must be provided access to blocking orders. 4/n

internetfreedom.in/delhi-hc-issue…
MeitY has claimed that Rule 16 is necessary to protect complainants and whistleblowers but hasn't explained why blocking orders issued by government officials cannot be provided after redacting personal details, if any. 5/n

internetfreedom.in/meity-defends-…
Section 69A was a blindspot in the otherwise celebrated judgement in Shreya Singhal v. Union of India, and it continues to enable secret censorship by the executive branch without any independent judicial oversight. 6/n

livelaw.in/columns/shreya…

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More from @internetfreedom

2 Feb
Rihanna's talking about internet shutdowns during the farmers' protests.

Are you?

We've been working on this issue for some time now. Thread of all relevant resources:

1/n
Our joint statement with @SFLCin and @fsmi_in against internet shutdowns to suppress farmers' protests.

Image
To go along with it, a signature campaign you can sign on to to show your support for this statement.

It takes 5 seconds. Have you signed on yet?

struggles.in/MobilisationCa…
Read 5 tweets
2 Feb
Thread:

We analyzed the Budget 2021-22 from a digital rights perspective. Read the full post here: internetfreedom.in/budget-2021-22/

1/n Image
It cumulatively allots Rs. 68,487.7 crore to NDHM, Ministry of Electronics and IT, and Department of Telecom.

A 460% increase in total capital expenditure over Revised Estimates of 2020-21 is observed, but this is not significant in context of last year's Budget estimates.

2/n Image
MeitY witnesses a boost with Rs. 9,720.7 in allocations, largely due to the Digital India Program (L).

An increasing trend is seen in allocations towards innovation, with IT/ITeS industries and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing receiving boosts (R).

3/n ImageImage
Read 6 tweets
1 Feb
📢IFF along with @fsmi_in and @SFLCin released a joint statement yesterday condemning the use of internet shutdowns to suppress the farmers' protest. Learn about how you can support this important call. #keepiton 1/n

internetfreedom.in/joint-statemen…
Such internet shutdowns will only increase the risk of violence and misinformation and they cannot be considered necessary or proportionate. 2/n
The internet shutdowns have made it impossible for journalists to provide real time updates about the protests and taken away the farmers’ ability to present their version of events through social media. 3/n
Read 6 tweets
30 Jan
Thread✍🏽

The #EconomicSurvey2021 was presented in the Parliament yesterday.

We read it and extracted key takeaways on digital rights issues across sectors.

Read here -->

1/n

internetfreedom.in/economic-surve…
Health‍⚕️

It recognises the privacy risks of indiscreet tech application. However, National Digital Health Mission data is cited as a plausible solution for information-related failures.

(Read our explainer on UHID and concerns surrounding it): internetfreedom.in/health-id-rule…

2/n
Health⚕️

It recognizes that the success of telemedicine critically hinges on Internet connectivity and health infrastructure.

The number of telemedicine consultations correlates strongly with Internet penetration in states.

3/n ImageImage
Read 8 tweets
11 Jan
Thread 🧵

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

internetfreedom.in/explainer-what…
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

internetfreedom.in/iff-will-repre…
Read 6 tweets
9 Jan
We wrote to @ugc_india and @EduMinOfIndia on the use of proctoring technology by various universities across the country highlighting privacy concerns.

1/n

internetfreedom.in/we-wrote-to-th…
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.

2/n
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

3/n
Read 5 tweets

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