Thread by @internetfreedom

IFF suggests that all #AgriStack implementation be halted till extensive consultations with farmers have been carried out. Issues exist with data localisation & protection, federalism, user rights, and there's a need for public investment.

Details: internetfreedom.in/iff-response-t… (1/n)

Robust data standards are also very much a necessity. What is the AgriStack project? Last year, we released an explainer. We have continued to engage with the issue through letters, analyses, & disseminating relevant information. #PrivacyOfThePeople (2/n)

internetfreedom.in/the-agristack-…

#AgriStack has also been receiving public attention, especially around:

a. The lack of consultations with farmers and farmers’ organisations.
b. The potential threat of the erosion of privacy and data exploitation.
c. The fear of a ‘corporate takeover’ of agriculture. (3/n)

And these:

d. The danger of land grabs and exclusion.
e. The lack of provisions for data protection and consent.
f. The larger political economy of this vision of ‘agri-digitisation’

Several issues exist with the proposed implementation framework. (4/n)
livemint.com/news/india/ins…

Our specific recommendations:

a. Need for digital infrastructure & digital literacy programs: Given the massive digital divide, farmers may not be able to make full use of the #AgriStack. They may also end up providing their data without effective consent or compensation. (5/n)

b. Localisation and federalism: A truly federated framework for IDEA should include key roles for district and block-level entities. We also recommend that data localisation is incorporated as a central principle of the IDEA project. (6/n)

c. Robust data protection standards & the protection of user rights: It is vital that strict data standards are imposed,& a proactive approach to ensuring data protection is followed. Agricultural data must be categorised as personal data, & it should be regulated as such. (7/n)

There is a massive need for public sector involvement, as well as strong regulation for #AgriData exchange. Given the large-scale changes that would result, a regulatory sandbox may be helpful — but it must help facilitate compliance & not evade it. (8/n)

internetfreedom.in/iff-response-t…

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