In 2018, we sought transparency on the incoming Data Law. @Gov_Meity refused but the Information Commission directed them to revisit. MeitY reproduced the response CIC had rejected. We’ve now filed a complaint to ensure compliance & acquire information
1/n
internetfreedom.in/meity-response…
The Personal Data Protection Bill (2018) was widely criticised for a lack of diverse expertise in its drafting committee. We filed an RTI requesting copies of the comments the public provided to it and the details of how the committee operated. 2/n
epw.in/engage/article…
The MeitY refused disclosure, without even quoting any provision of the RTI Act! We filed an appeal. The First Appellate Authority sought exemption under S.8(1)(i) of the RTI Act, which states that cabinet papers are exempt from disclosure. Unconvinced, we approached the CIC. 3/n
Before the CIC, the CPIO sought exemption under S.8(1)(c) of the RTI Act (exempts disclosure of info. relating to parliamentary privilege). IFF's @VrindaBhandari assisted by @krishnesh78 argued that both these exemptions are inapplicable & the CPIO failed her burden of proof. 4/n
In a triumph for transparency through RTIs, the CIC held that the reply of the CPIO was grossly improper, incomplete and unjustified. CPIO directed her to provide a revised reply and to provide the desired information, if she is unable to justify the exemptions so claimed. 5/n
Shockingly, the CPIO has simply altered the grammar in a few spots and returned the same reply to us which was rejected by CIC. No additional justification has been provided for claiming exemption under S.8(1)(c). This means the information should have been disclosed to us. 6/n
To bring this malafide denial of information & disregard of the CIC's orders by the CPIO, we're filing a complaint under S.18(1) of the RTI Act, praying for action against the CPIO. Let alone the information itself, we still don't know why the information is being denied! 7/n
India's incoming Data Law is going to be a huge step in the field of your privacy. Thus, the MeitY must be more forthcoming in making information accessible, so as to analyse the PDPB. We'll keep you updated on this issue, seeking and advocating transparency! ✊ 8/n

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More from @internetfreedom

27 May
We have been at it on the #ITRules

So a master thread if you really want to understand it in depth.

Right before they were to be released we got advance copy of the draft and dissected it first. We cautioned how they are just plain terrible. 1/n internetfreedom.in/latest-draft-i…
That very day on Feb. 25 the #ITrules were notified *sigh*. There were some minor tweaks which made them worse! We use these words carefully, these rules are undemocratic & unconstitutional. They erode you free speech and privacy. How? Click below. 2/n internetfreedom.in/intermediaries…
Many people are talking about WhatsApp’s case but the first sector which took #ITRules to court were digital news publishers like @LiveLawIndia. Why? It put them directly under the control of the Ministry for I&B. We assisted in a court challenge! 3/n internetfreedom.in/kerala-hc-gran…
Read 6 tweets
27 May
When asked who funds us and whom we represent, our answer is easy - "the people of India!" Become an IFF member to join us in safeguarding online freedoms resisting surveillance to secure YOUR digital rights. Sign up for our membership and amplify: internetfreedom.in/donate/
1/n Image
Our salaries depend on your donations. We also acquire tech support, work on policy interventions and strategic litigation, and promote digital literacy with public funding. Contribute to the ongoing strategic litigation fundraiser here:
2/n
internetfreedom.in/fund-iffs-stra…
We rely on the support of our members who donate to us on a monthly basis, as our members are the core of our work ethos and funding culture. Our membership tiers start as low as Rs.100 up to Rs.2000 per month. As we sustain your digital rights, 300 members sustain our work!
3/n Image
Read 5 tweets
27 May
We're back with the 2nd edition of Cybersec Charcha! We are taking a deep-dive into the booming and unregulated ransomware industry. We explore what a ransomware attack means and the dangerous, real-world consequences these attacks continue to have.
1/n
internetfreedom.in/cybersec-charc…
Ransomware attacks typically infect the computer with malicious software, often downloaded by clicking on untrustworthy links on the internet. Users are locked out of their systems, with the demand that a ransom be paid for restoration of functions.
2/n
toolbox.com/it-security/vu…
The ransom can be as hefty as 5 million USD (75 bitcoin), which Colonial Pipeline, an oil transport company, paid to the 'DarkSide' ransomware group. They hacked the company's business networks around May, leading to fuel supply disruptions in the US.
3/n
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Read 6 tweets
26 May
#Webinar
IFF and @ASHAKisanSwaraj are hosting a webinar "Understanding the Government's Digital Push in Agriculture". We'll be analysing the #AgriStack and the impact of privacy erosion on farmers’ lives. Join us at 3 pm on 28th May, Friday!
Register:
tinyurl.com/Event-On-Agri-…
1/n Image
The Government has begun increasing digitisation in agriculture. The thrust seems to be to develop #AgriStack, a platform which has data about farmers integrated from various sources. In this webinar, we seek to better understand what exactly the implications might be.
2/n
Our exciting line of speakers includes @drvandanashiva @Ajayvirjakhar @farmernomadic @FarmerMehra @logic and experts from @WGWLO1 @Krishak_Samaj among others! The event is estimated to take 2.5 hours, and it will be translated into Hindi as well.
3/n Image
Read 5 tweets
26 May
#Fundraiser
We're completely public-funded, so your support sustains us as we try to safeguard your digital rights. We're hosting a fundraiser to grow the litigators digital rights network. Its aim is to expand our strategic litigation resources.
1/n
internetfreedom.in/fund-iffs-stra…
We want to be able to provide legal assistance to groups requesting for specific help, as we strategically engage with courts & other legal institutions to defend our fundamental rights. Through the fundraiser, we hope to cover the annual salary of 1 litigation team member.
2/n
Recent instances of our work include - providing legal assistance to @LiveLawIndia (on IT Rules), @FFFIndia (facing website blocking) & supporting journalist bodies in multiple rounds of litigation on internet blockade in Jammu & Kashmir, etc. See:
3/n
internetfreedom.in/legal
Read 5 tweets
26 May
Initial Statement : As per news reports Whatsapp has filed a petition in the High Court of Delhi to challenge Rule 4(2) which is the traceability requirement. We still await & IFF lawyers will study the complete petition to indicate any future action. 1/n reuters.com/world/india/ex…
IFF works for the privacy of users. To fulfil its mandate we act as litigants when Whatsapp has undermined your privacy. Objecting to it’s change in terms before the Supreme Court. We have also conduced civic literacy against it’s 2021 changes. 2/n internetfreedom.in/explainer-what…
At the same time, end-to-end encryption in WhatsApp ensures the safety, privacy and security of messages in transmission. As per expert opinion traceability under the IT Rules does not fix any clear problem but will lead to undermining privacy. 3/n internetfreedom.in/iff-files-inde…
Read 4 tweets

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