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Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
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10 May, 6 tweets, 3 min read
SOS Indore: An order issued by the Indore administration under Section 144(1) of the CrPC has prohibited COVID-related speech on social media, stifling free speech and relief work. We have filed an application seeking its withdrawal.
1/n
 internetfreedom.in/indore-adminis…
The order, issued by Shri Manish Singh, Collector for the district of Indore, prohibits “comments made on Social Media platforms related to breaking of Corona transmission chain in an unrestrained manner” and threatens prosecution for non-compliance.
2/n
 drive.google.com/file/d/1aQMZes…
In our opinion this rule is illegal. Its overbroadness empowers the administration to arrest anyone commenting on the state of health infrastructure in the city. This prevents individuals from reporting lacunas in the efforts to battle Covid-19 and may cost lives.
3/n
Using vague terms such as ‘unrestrained’ to restrict speech has a chilling effect on speech and violates Article 19(1)(a). In fact the SC struck down Sec 66A of the IT Act in Shreya Singhal vs UoI because it created an offence which was overbroad.
internetfreedom.in/marking-the-5-…
4/n
The rule is also contradictory to the observations of the Supreme Court from April 30th, 2021 in Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No.3 of 2021. The SC noted that clamping down on information during Covid-19 is against the interest of the nation.
5/n
Considering the illegality of the rule and its potential to worsen the situation, we have written to the Indore District Collector to rescind the order in terms of Section 144(5). To ensure that people do not get unreasonably prosecuted we made the following demands.
6/n

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More from @internetfreedom

Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
11 May
#DataProtectionTop10
We’re discussing consent in part 3 of our series, analysing the issues in the Data Bill. From letting your employers spy on you to denying you essential services, a thread on how the safety net of consent is torn in the Bill. (1/n)
internetfreedom.in/dataprotection…
Consent is said to be valid under the Bill, if it's given freely, informed, specific, clearly expressed & is capable of being withdrawn. There are exceptions to the State, employers, etc. which debilitate user control over personal data, detrimentally affecting our rights. (2/n)
Exceptions under clause 12 essentially legitimise the collection and processing of personal data by the State for projects like Aadhar, as it can process personal data without user consent for certain purposes, like the provision of services, benefits, or certifications. (3/n)
Read 9 tweets
Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
10 May
In February, Twitter disabled 200+ accounts in the backdrop of the farmer’s protests. @GoI_MeitY has now confirmed to us that this action was authorised by law, and has denied recalling or disclosing the blocking orders. We've written back. A thread.
1/n
 internetfreedom.in/meity-response…
On February 1, Twitter accounts of news organisations, activists, and farmers groups were reportedly blocked in response to a legal request from @GoI_MeitY. Here's a timeline outlining account restoration, MeitY's subsequent notice to Twitter, and Twitter's clarification:
2/n
We wrote to @GoI_MeitY on February 8 noting that the lack of a clear process of a prior notice and hearing, the secrecy around the orders, and the breach of the SC's directions made this an unconstitutional and disproportionate exercise of censorship.
3/n
 internetfreedom.in/government-cen…
Read 9 tweets
Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
3 May
In a significant order, the Supreme Court has passed a range of directions to ensure fundamental rights are not violated as the country continues the battle against Covid-19. We discuss two of those directions in this thread -
1/n
 livelaw.in/pdf_upload/in-…
First, SC has reprimanded the government for targeting individuals seeking help on the internet and directed it to not do so (Para 69(iii)). The bench noted that sharing such information not just helps individuals, but also prevents the pandemic from worsening (Para 63).
2/n
In a statement, we had previously condemned censorship of social media posts which sought for help and demanded governmental accountability. We welcome the decision of the SC which protects freedom of speech and expression.
3/n
Read 8 tweets
Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
3 May
Psst, #Chennai: The chatter over at #ProjectPanoptic is that a Facial Recognition system including 174 cameras and number plate recognition is being set up in your city. We filed an RTI with the Chennai Metro Development Authority. Read the reply here.
panoptic.in/tamil-nadu/FRT…
“18 cameras have facial recognition features. They will have pictures of anti-social elements collected from the State and national crime records bureaus. Besides, four cameras with ANPR features will be installed at the entry and exit.”
thehindu.com/news/cities/ch…
The reply by CMDA states that there is no legislation or rule, and the technology will be adopted as per need and necessity. Software providers will be "Cognitec/Cogent/Videonetics" with a lifetime license. Images will be sourced from police dept, Greater Chennai Corp.
Read 4 tweets
Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
3 May
Over the last year, the use of Facial Recognition has spiked sharply. To map its future in India, we're beginning a series where we dive into the influence of political & social movements on FRT regulations #AroundTheWorld. We start with the USA.
1/n
 internetfreedom.in/facial-recogni…
The USA is a federal republic and thus citizens are subject to regulations at local, state and federal levels.

This table illustrates regulations at city+state levels. In addition to bans/ordinances/etc many jurisdictions are in the process of enacting laws to regulate FRT.
2/n
What factors have influenced regulation? Foundational analyses by experts & activists have played a big role ever since it was determined that the use of this tech would lead to exclusionary and discriminatory outcomes.
3/n
Read 10 tweets
Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
30 Apr
SOS: We at @internetfreedom @no2uid @smcproject @HEaL_Institute @IndJMedEthics are laying down clear facts about how and why vaccine discrimination is going to rise in India. If the government fulfils our demands, access to life-saving resources will increase. Please RT.
1. Some worrying facts:
a. State/private bodies have to get vaccines from manufacturers. The price is set/declared in advance.
b. There is no strict price regulation in pvt hospitals.
c. 18-45 y/os must be handled by States, and they have no option but to register on COWIN.
Why is this a problem? If you leave the pricing of vaccines to the free market, leave vaccination to States who are low on resources, and mandate online registration at a time when a large number of Indians CANNOT access it, people will be left out of the vaccination process.
Read 9 tweets

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