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Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
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10 Jul, 7 tweets, 4 min read
This week, we saw a major #cabinetreshuffle in India, and we want our digital rights to benefit from this change.

We've written multiple letters to the newly oriented @GoI_MeitY, @pib_comm & @MoIB_Official and highlighted several issues & solutions.
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internetfreedom.in/a-digital-righ…
Communications: Digital infrastructure, literacy, and net neutrality are all areas that have scope for vast improvements.

Internet shutdowns are also a big part of our ask — India accounts for 70% of total global losses caused by internet shutdowns!
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top10vpn.com/cost-of-intern…
Electronics and IT: Withdrawing the unconstitutional and regressive IT Rules 2021, updating the IT Act 2000 to address the dynamic nature of our digital landscape, increasing transparency around content blocks, and addressing data breaches — these are some vital concerns.
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Information and Broadcasting: The IT Rules are also a concern here, with the ministry regulating digital media platforms & OTT streaming. Considering the rising attacks on the press, enacting a law to protect journalists & engaging with law reforms (like sedition) would help.
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Why? Here are some things to consider: India ranks 142 in the Press Freedom Index. Laws like sedition curtail the people's right to dissent and speak truth to power: Several Indian journalists faced criminal cases for reporting on #Covid19 (@hrw 2021).
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 rsf.org/en/ranking_tab…
While ministers may have changed, our underlying demands haven’t.

We are viewing this reshuffle as more of a ‘refresh’: to advance India’s digital revolution and help enshrine our fundamental constitutional rights. Read our full analysis 👇🏾
internetfreedom.in/a-digital-righ…

6/n
Support our work so we can continue fighting for your digital rights! We are fully funded by Indian citizens who care about the Indian Internet. Be a part of advancing the digital revolution by becoming an IFF member.
internetfreedom.in/give-monthly/

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More from @internetfreedom

Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
12 Jul
The IT Act 2000 is what governs today's #DigitalIndia. However, when it comes to 2021's tech realities, this Act is woefully inadequate and needs to be revised ASAP!

Our digital governance laws + frameworks must protect citizens' fundamental rights 👇🏾
internetfreedom.in/update-the-it-…
1/n
When the IT Act 2000 was brought in, only 0.5% of the Indian population (55 lakh) used the internet. The digital landscape consisted mainly of e-commerce websites. Now, with the rapid transformation of #DigitalIndia, we desperately need an update -
internetworldstats.com/asia/in.htm

2/n
In Jan 2021, we received reports of plans by the government to update this Act. We followed up and were informed that @GoI_MeitY's discussions with "relevant stakeholders" have already begun. But it's not just the provisions that need an overhaul, it's the complete framework.
3/n
Read 9 tweets
Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
9 Jul
What's up with the #ITrules? Here's what ➡️ The UoI has asked the SC to transfer before itself 4 cases (pending in High Courts) questioning the constitutional validity of the rules. IFF is providing legal assistance to @LiveLawIndia in one of them.
1/n
 internetfreedom.in/union-of-india…
Today, submissions were made by the Ld. Solicitor General for a stay of the pending matters before High Courts. The Supreme Court refused such stay, and ordered the petitions to be tagged and listed before the appropriate bench on July 16.
2/n
The Kerala HC had earlier restrained UoI from taking coercive action against @LiveLawIndia, a respondent in today’s hearing. In an integral decision for the power of collaborative and strategic litigation, the Supreme Court didn’t disturb this order.
3/n
Read 9 tweets
Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
9 Jul
Hearing update: Union of India’s transfer petition is listed as item 7 before Justice Khanwilkar and Justice Sanjiv Khanna of the Supreme Court. The petition seeks to transfer 4 cases that have challenged the validity of IT Rules, 2021 before the Supreme Court. (1/n)
One of these cases is @LiveLawIndia’s petition which is pending before the Kerala High Court. IFF has provided legal assistance to @LivelLawIndia. A blog post summarising the proceedings before Kerala High Court is available here - internetfreedom.in/kerala-hc-gran…
(2/n)
We have previously provided a deep dive analysis of IT Rules, 2021 where we have explained how they are unconstitutional, undemocratic and how they will fundamentally change an Indian user's experience on the internet.
internetfreedom.in/intermediaries…
(3/n)
Read 5 tweets
Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
9 Jul
Hearing update: CCI had directed an investigation into WhatsApp’s 2021 Privacy Policy which WA challenged before a judge of the Delhi High Court. The judge did not stay the decision of CCI. WA’s appeal against that decision is listed as item 2 before a division bench of DHC.(1/n)
Competition Commission of India’s decision directing an investigation into WhatsApp’s 2021 Privacy Policy is available here - cci.gov.in/sites/default/…
(2/n)
The decision of the single judge refusing to stay the decision of CCI is available here - drive.google.com/file/d/1SGYJl8…
(3/n)
Read 4 tweets
Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
8 Jul
Facebook India head, Ajit Mohan's petition against the Delhi Legislative Assembly was listed before the Supreme Court today. The SC refused to quash the summons issued to Ajit Mohan by the Delhi Legislative Assembly in relation to the Delhi riots. (1/n)

Mr. Mohan had approached the SC under Art 32 of the Constitution challenging the summons issued by the “Peace and Harmony committee” of the Delhi Assembly to probe ‘the role of fake social media posts in creating communal riots in North East Delhi’ in February 2020.
(2/n)
The Court rejected the argument that the Delhi Assembly has no legislative competence to enquire into the Delhi riots, and held that legislative function is only one of its functions. Investigation of complicated social problems is another.

Read ⬇️ (3/n)
livelaw.in/top-stories/su…
Read 4 tweets
Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture
8 Jul
What has IFF been up to in the last month?

Here's a transparent thread on the RTI requests and appeals we filed with governmental authorities to protect your free speech, privacy, internet accessibility, and other constitutional rights in June 2021!
1/n
 internetfreedom.in/digital-transp…
We filed 21 RTI requests, 2 first appeals & 1 second appeal electronically, on various matters pertaining to the digital divide in the vaccination policy, privacy invasion through facial recognition, MoUs to digitalise agriculture in India, and takedowns on social media.
2/n
With @PanopticIndia, we enquired about facial recognition technology, from @NHAI_Official and @AyushmanNHA on GPS imaging at tolls and Aadhaar-based facial recognition for #CovidVaccine. We also filed a first appeal with @BARC_INDIA challenging their vague response on FRT.
3/n
Read 7 tweets

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