Thread by @internetfreedom

Thread on COVID-19 surveillance:
On May 28, 2020, we filed an RTI request with @BECIL_India on their tender to procure a Personnel Tracking GPS Solution and a Covid–19 Patient Tracking Tool. These surveillance measures impinge on rights of privacy, autonomy, and dignity.
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We did not receive a reply. Then on October 30, 2020 we filed a first appeal against them and still did not receive a reply. Our last step in the matter was to file a second appeal with the CIC on December 12, 2020.

In 2021, BECIL has finally replied to our first appeal.
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They state that procurement for the two items has not been done till date. Further, they have also stated that since this project is still at the Expression of Interest stage, a cost-benefit analysis is not required.
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This is worrying because a cost-benefit analysis is necessary at the first stage of procurement. BECIL should not wait until after procurement is done for conducting this assessment, because it will be pointless at that stage.
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Please note that the use of the items for which procurement is being done may result in grave breaches to the privacy, dignity and autonomy of health care professionals and members of the public on whom they will be used.

Find the response here.
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drive.google.com/file/d/1UlEhOq…

Here is a video explainer on the details of the tender and the functionality sought through procurement. 6/n

Further, if you prefer a more deeper analysis why this would impact the privacy of frontline defenders and health care providers who keep us safe from Covid, here is a linked blogpost 7/7 internetfreedom.in/legal-notice-t…