Share this page!

Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
Twitter logo
2 Mar, 4 tweets, 2 min read
Thread: One of the ways we demand transparency and accountability from government authorities is through RTIs. Every month, we update you on our filings. Here are our RTIs for Feb '21: From vaccine data to porn search tracking to OTT regulations!
1/n
 internetfreedom.in/digital-transp…
On matters of data protection and privacy, we filed RTIs with MeitY, PM's office, BSNL, PCO Lucknow, ICMR, and more to seek info on CoWin, blockchain, vehicular data sharing, data breaches, etc. We reached out to 9 public authorities for info on facial recognition projects.
2/n
On free speech and censorship, we filed 13 RTIs: to MHA on internet shutdowns, MeitY and MI&B on twitter account takedowns, OTT regulations, and Tandav, MeitY, BSNL, and MTNL on website blocking.

Here's an overview - detailed information is on the blog linked above.
3/n
Our RTIs inform our work in a big way, and help us provide you with answers to digital rights issues that are otherwise shrouded in obscurity. Become a member with us today, and we'll use your donations to continue this work.

Until next month!

internetfreedom.in/donate/

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
　

Keep Current with Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF)

Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @internetfreedom

Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
3 Mar
1. DNA tech is not infallible. This is compounded by a lack of capacity in india.
2. DNA profiling may fail privacy standards in the landmark Puttaswamy privacy judgement.
3. The absence of a robust data protection law allows misuse of DNA data by state or private actors.
3/n
4. As said before, excessive discretionary powers granted to the government have not been acknowledged.
5. Improper use of DNA tech will lead to discriminatory DNA profiling of citizens as has been admitted by the Committee itself.

We hence ask that the Bill be redrafted.
4/n
The Bill must be reviewed to ensure it is consistent with Puttaswamy judgement standards and harmonised with the Personal Data Protection Bill. Both tasks must be carried by the Data Protection Authority. Remedies to those whose data is used unlawfully must be specified.
5/n
Read 4 tweets
Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
1 Mar
A lot has happened in the last week re: the IT Rules, 2021! It may feel chilling, but mass awareness is the first step. This is an official thread of our resources on the Rules. Send it to anyone who wants to learn about them. This thread will evolve with updates over time.
1/n
On Feb 25, 2021 we published an analysis of the draft IT Rules, 2021. Alongside the analysis is a rundown of the contentious history of the Rules and the need for starting afresh on this vital conversation about platform accountability. Thread here.
2/n
On Feb 25, 2021, the IT Rules, 2021 came into force. On Feb 27, 2021, we shared with you our comprehensive deep-dive into the Rules - an overview of its contents, the “safeguards” it seeks to establish, and how they affect your fundamental rights. Thread:
Read 5 tweets
Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
27 Feb
It's done: The IT Rules, 2021, are officially in play. We cannot stress this enough - this fundamentally changes the Indian internet. Please RT this thread on the Rules and how they bring government control over digital media like never before.
internetfreedom.in/intermediaries…
1/n
IT Rules affect social media, OTT, and news platforms. The latter 2 have been brought under the Rules for the first time. The Rules make platforms legally liable for not complying with government regulation, hence making user experience fall in line with the same.
2/n
Social media platforms with 50 lakh+ users will now be regulated as Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs) with different obligations than Social Media Intermediaries (SMIs). Government discretion in compliance can lead to discrimination which disempowers small SMIs.
3/n
Read 12 tweets
Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
25 Feb
🚨 Breaking: We are releasing a copy of the Draft IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which seek to change the face of how digital media is governed in India.

Read our thread and analysis of the biggest concerns.
1/n
 internetfreedom.in/latest-draft-i…
Background: Section 79 of the IT Act provides a ‘safe harbour’ to intermediaries like social media companies who host user generated content. It exempts them from liability for the actions of their users, as long as they adhere to guidelines prescribed by the government.
2/n
The Government has now expanded the scope of the intermediary rules to also include news media and OTT platforms. This was first reported by the Hindustan Times.
3/n
 epaper.hindustantimes.com/Home/ShareArti…
Read 12 tweets
Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
24 Feb
Is the government really going to make us spy on each other through a 'cyber volunteer' program?

We have answers. This is called 'lateral' i.e. peer-to-peer surveillance. Thread on the program and concerns we sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

internetfreedom.in/cyber-voluntee…
1/n
Under MHA, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre's program allows citizens to register as Unlawful Content Flaggers and report online content. This will help law enforcement identify, report and remove it.

It will be launched countrywide with test runs in J&K and Tripura.

2/n
Lateral surveillance is a practice where instead of a State surveilling citizens, we are incentivised to surveil each other. This will lead to a culture of suspicion, social distrust, and cyber vigilantism.

Read the 2021 paper outlining this:

cis-india.org/internet-gover…

3/n
Read 8 tweets
Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
23 Feb
Thread 🧵

Did you know that Rajasthan has the second highest number of internet shutdowns in India? Here is what we are doing about it. 1/n

internetfreedom.in/rajasthan-govt…
Earlier this month, we wrote to the Rajasthan Govt bringing to its notice that internet shutdowns are being ordered by Divisional Commissioners who are not empowered to do so under the Telecom Suspension Rules 2017. 2/n
The State Level Review Committee is also not functioning properly and existing data suggests that it has only been reviewing around 25% of all internet shutdowns. 3/n
Read 6 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!

This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us on Twitter!

Like this author's thread?

Get emails when @internetfreedom has new unrolls!

Check out other threads from @internetfreedom!

Read all threads by @internetfreedom